I‐395/I‐66 Traffic Management System
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 110, Issue 5
Abstract
On December 22, 1982, the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation (VDH&T) officially opened 10 miles (16 km) of I‐66 in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington after 20 yr of planning, environmental studies, court battles, and a final ruling by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as to design and operational characteristics. These characteristics are unique, including only two lanes in each direction, prohibition of trucks at all times, parkway‐like esthetic treatment and exclusive High‐Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) operation of the peak direction roadways during commuting periods. In response to the Secretary's decision, studies were conducted by the Department to determine the feasibility of implementing a modern traffic surveillance, control, and motorist information system to achieve the operational objectives set forth for I‐66. At the same time, it was decided to include the 12‐mile section of I‐395 (Shirley Highway) as part of this system due to its unique center twolane reversible roadway HOV operation and serious congestion problems being experienced on the flanking three‐lane directional roadways during peak commuter periods. In 1978, the Department engaged Howard Needles Tammen & Bergendoff, with Sperry Systems Management as its subconsultant, to conduct preliminary engineering studies; prepare final plans and specifications for roadway bottleneck improvements and the surveillance and control system; and monitor implementation of the combined I‐66/I‐395 Traffic Management System. Final plans were completed and advertised in the fall of 1981 and construction began in early 1982. Installation of the system is expected to be completed this fall followed by a six‐month operational test period. Full scale systems operation by the Department is anticipated to begin in early 1985.
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References
1.
“The Effects of Ramp Metering on City Streets,” California Department of Transportation, Sacramento, Calif., Feb., 1979.
2.
“I‐395/I‐66 Traffic Management System, Phase 1 Report, Preliminary Functional Design and Operations Plan,” Howard Needles Tammen & Bergendoff, Sperry Systems Management, Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation, Richmond, Va., July, 1979
3.
“Shirley Highway Operations Study,” JHK & Associates, Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation, Richmond, Va., Aug., 1976
4.
“I‐66 Traffic Management Concepts,” JHK & Associates, Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation, Richmond, Va., Feb., 1977.
5.
“Transportation and Traffic Engineering Handbook,” second ed., Institute of Transportation Engineers, W. S. Homburger, ed., Chapter 25, Freeway Surveillance and Control, 1982, pp. 783–806
6.
“Guidelines for Selection of Ramp Control Systems,” National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 232, May, 1981.
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Copyright © 1984 ASCE.
History
Published online: Jul 1, 1984
Published in print: Jul 1984
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