This paper discusses the experience with ramp metering in The Netherlands. The most recent completed study concerns the effects of the ramp metering system located on the on-ramp near Zoetermeer along the A12 motorway, just upstream of a point causing recurrent congestion during evening rush-hour. The effects of ramp metering on a variety of measurable quantities were investigated. Examples are: a) travel times, volume distribution, queue formation and red-light running on the on-ramp; b) rat-running on the surrounding network; and c) travel times, congestion and capacity on the main roadway. Ramp metering evaluations near a tunnel in the Amsterdam ring road, on the A13 near Delft and the still ongoing evaluation study of ramp metering along the ring-road A10 around Amsterdam are also presented.
Abstract