The Highways Agency has installed ramp metering signals at six sites on the M27 and M3 that have characteristics that are typical of conditions on the national motorway network. All six sites are now operational. The Pilot Scheme has the following objectives: (1) to demonstrate the effects of ramp metering systems layouts and control strategies; (2) to produce a model scheme appraisal; and (3) to develop standards, specifications and advice notes for a possible national implementation programme. The effects of the scheme are being monitored by detector loops on the main carriageway and slip roads, by CCTV cameras and analysis of accident records. A limited number of signal and control strategies are being evaluated at a specially equipped site. Results from this site combined with observations from the standard sites will be compared with two `control' sites and used to develop standards for the national `roll-out' programme. The paper includes: (1) Highways Agency background in network management; (2) review of ramp metering in Europe, USA and UK; (3) development of the Pilot Scheme; (4) design of layouts and control strategies; (5) review of off road trials; (6) monitoring and data acquisition strategies; (7) definition of assessment parameters; (8) driver attitude and behaviour studies; and (9) early operational results. The design team is led by Owen Williams Consultants with MVA Limited, the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and IPL.
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