Ramp Reversal Projects: Guidelines for Successful Implementation

Many urban freeways in Texas experience congested traffic conditions during peak periods. Freeway system expansion is very expensive and time-consuming. Consequently, alternatives other than construction of new facilities are desired. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been implementing comparatively inexpensive methods to improve existing freeways such as grade-separated (i.e., braided) ramps and modified ramp configurations via X-ramp interchanges and ramp reversals. Ramp reversal, replacement of an entrance ramp with an exit ramp or vice versa, is an improvement strategy occasionally recommended by outside constituencies. The basis for this research was driven by TxDOT engineers’ need to have an updated methodology and evaluation results from previously implemented ramp reversal projects to assist in future decision-making. This research project investigated the benefits and impacts of X-ramp and ramp reversal projects. Impacts that were evaluated include operational, safety, and basic economic benefits. Case study evaluations of 15 projects implemented throughout the state were performed and generally showed that ramp modification projects are a worthwhile effort. The final product of this research was the development of guidelines for TxDOT staff to assist in the evaluation and implementation of ramp modification projects. The framework for the guidelines was based on the three themes for the Texas access management program: (1) improve safety and mobility, (2) provide reasonable access to developments, and (3) promote local government partnerships. Based on this framework, the 21 guidelines for successful implementation were further divided into five categories: educational, encouragement, engineering, enforcement, and evaluation.

• Record URL:
  http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5105-1.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/rti/psr/5105.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project Title: Development of Guidelines for Ramp Reversal Projects. Report Date: November 2006; Published: July 2007.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Cooner, Scott A
  • Venglar, Steven P
  • Rathod, Yatinkumar K
  • Pultorak, Edward J
  • Williams, James C
  • Vo, Phong Thanh
  • Mattingly, Stephen P
• Publication Date: 2007-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 158p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access control (Transportation); Case studies; Freeways; Guidelines; Highway safety; Ramps (Interchanges); Traffic congestion; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Grade-separated ramps; Ramp configurations; Ramp reversal
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01055103
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-07/0-5105-1, Report 0-5105-1
• Contract Numbers: Project No. 0-5105
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 17 2007 9:15AM