In Theory, System Will Control Flow Of Traffic Onto I-95. In Theory…
Unclear Why FDOT Believes Motorists Who Ignore All Other Rules, Laws Will Honor Metering.
BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2022 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — If you drive on I-95, get ready for a potential new headache starting Monday morning.
The Florida Department of Transportation is set to “turn on” ramp meter signals across Palm Beach County and Broward County. These are largely new traffic control devices at the on-ramps to I-95 that are part of a system to tell motorists when they can enter the highway, and — just as importantly — when they can not. They look like traffic lights, but only flash red and green. The first ramps to go online: Palmetto Park Road, Atlantic Boulevard, and Cypress Creek Road.
At the risk of stating the obvious: if the meter is red, you can’t go. If the meter is green, ONE car may go. In theory, the system is supposed to regulate the flow of traffic onto the Interstate, while also preventing backups on the ramps that cause problems on major roads.
For instance, if there are so many cars on the on-ramp from Palmetto Park Road to I-95 that cars are actually backing up onto Palmetto Park Road, the meter is supposed to permit multiple cars to proceed so no one is on Palmetto Park.
Meters work with varied levels of success in other cities and states. With Florida drivers who largely ignore all other laws, rules and regulations, it’s unclear why FDOT believes they will honor metering. The system goes live in Palm Beach and Broward early Monday.
