Signs added to ramps along I-96 Flex Route advising drivers to pull up to white line

NOVI, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation is adding temporary electronic signs at ramps along the I-96 Flex Route in Oakland County to remind drivers to pull all the way up to the white line (stop bar) when the signal is red. This will ensure sensors at the ramp are triggered correctly to activate the ramp meter signals (cycling from the normal yellow signal to red and green).

The ramp metering signals are on eight entrance ramps along the I-96 Flex Route between Novi and Milford roads in Oakland County:

• Southbound Milford Road to eastbound I-96,
• Southbound Milford Road to westbound I-96,
• Northbound Milford Road to eastbound I-96,
• Wixom Road to westbound I-96,
• Southbound Novi Road to eastbound I-96,
• Southbound Novi Road to westbound I-96,
• Northbound Novi Road to eastbound I-96, and
• Northbound Novi Road to westbound I-96.

Ramp meters have been used in many other states to reduce crashes and improve travel times by controlling the flow of traffic entering the freeway. By breaking up platoons of entering traffic, the need for drivers already on the freeway to slow down further is reduced and vehicles can merge more smoothly onto the freeway.

MDOT has posted a video on its YouTube channel showing drivers how ramp meters work. When approaching a red ramp meter signal, drivers will need to:

• Form two lanes on the ramp.
• Stop at the white line.
• Wait your turn for a green light at the ramp meter to proceed onto the freeway. Ramp meters to the right and left of the ramp will alternate green signals, allowing one vehicle at a time to merge onto the freeway.

When freeway traffic is congested and the ramp meter signal is red, not stopping for the red light on a ramp meter is considered a traffic violation, the same as running a red light on a traditional traffic signal. When the system is not active, the ramp meters will flash yellow and drivers can merge onto the freeway as normal, without stopping.

Learn more about freeway ramp metering on the Federal Highway Administration website.