Study shows stoplights on interstate ramps could relieve congestion

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By Mark Becker

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Motorists could see stop lights on Interstate 77 ramps in Charlotte.

Those ramps are designed to help vehicles merge and reduce traffic.

A study was launched in 2015 to see whether ramp meters would help with area traffic.

They recommend the lights at several spots throughout Charlotte.

“I don't really like that idea,” truck driver Tony Henderson said.

Henderson has driven big rigs up and down I-77 for the last six years, and isn't so sure about the idea of stoplights on on-ramps.

“What would happen when traffic backs up?” Henderson said.

Traffic lights have been used on interstate on ramps in cities such as Atlanta for years. They're called ramp meters and as drivers approach, they would stop until the light turns green and then merge into traffic one vehicle at a time every few seconds.

“It's just letting a few people at a time get on the interstate instead of the big platoon that we see today,” said Scott Cole, with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Cole said the ramp meters don't work on every on ramp but the new study indicates they could work at almost 30 interstate ramps in Mecklenburg and Gaston counties.

This includes a dozen of them on I-77, including five along the stretch in north Mecklenburg being widened for toll lanes.

Cole said the ramp meters wouldn't be in place for at least five years.

“It is safer,” Cole said. “Studies have shown a 10 to 20 percent crash reduction.”

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