REVERSIBLE LANES

This article describes the successful application of a signalized system of reversible lane control. Previously peak hour traffic congestion at a major bridge was common. Now traffic is usually free flowing at or near the posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour. Engineers had originally estimated the cost of building a companion structure to the present bridge at 15.2 million dollars. Estimates on the total cost of bridges elsewhere and diverting the traffic load to the new structure was 29 million dollars. The signalized system of reversible lane controls allows two lanes to carry morning and evening peak hour traffic and leaves a third to carry all other traffic. The benefits of this system include: The elimination of severe congestion on the bridge; and increase to the posted limits of the average speeds; fuel savings; and, travel time savings. It is noted that this project provides an excellent example of the kind of low capital expenditure on a traffic problem using a facility already in place.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Publication Date: 1977-4

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 26
• Serial:
  • AASHTO QUARTERLY
  • Volume: 56
  • Issue Number: 2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Costs; Fuel consumption; Peak hour traffic; Routes; Speed limits; Traffic congestion; Traffic control; Traffic lanes
• Old TRIS Terms: Reserved routes
• Subject Areas: Energy; Finance; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00165939
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 26 1978 12:00AM