Ramp metering with traffic lights

**Jimaz** · June-17-25, 08:11 AM

Ramp metering with traffic lights begins this week along I-96 in Oakland County

A second, different video with the same title:
Ramp metering with traffic lights begins this week along I-96 in Oakland County

Drivers getting onto I-96 between Novi and Milford roads in Oakland County will encounter a new traffic flow system – ramp metering.

It's a way of rationing freeway access by backing up congestion onto surface streets.

Has this ever been tried before in the Detroit metro area? I encountered it in Phoenix long ago. In a way it makes sense but in practice it feels silly to stop just so you can go.

**slick** · June-17-25, 08:24 AM

Has this ever been tried before in the Detroit metro area?

I94 in the 1970 I beleive.
Got to the point drivers would get 2 or 3 cars on a green or ignore the lights completely. Removed after a couple of years?

Will their be cameras to locate offenders?

**MikeM** · June-17-25, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

Has this ever been tried before in the Detroit metro area?

Yes. Lodge 1969-1971 and Ford 1982-?

**13606Cedargrove** · June-17-25, 09:06 AM

Here in LA/Orange County these are common and I would argue successful. However, over the years many on ramps have been expanded to 2 lanes, sometimes 3, with lights for each lane, allowing 1 -3 cars at time. The ramps have also been lengthened where the real estate is available. Control is during rush hours only. Perhaps with single-lane on ramps the back-ups may be an issue.

**401don** · June-17-25, 10:34 AM

They have them here in the Toronto burbs on the QEW. The video says you only have a certain amount of time to get up to speed from a stop at the red. That's never an issue because they're used at peak times when the hwy is moving slowly.

**JBMcB** · June-17-25, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by MikeM

Yes. Lodge 1969-1971 and Ford 1982-?

I remember a handful of them still in operation along I-94 between Gratiot and Moross up until the mid 1990s. At that point they would stop working and they wouldn't bother fixing them. I think they were all removed some time in the late 1990s.

**Meddle** · June-17-25, 03:48 PM

They were horrible.

I seem to remember there were only a few ramps that had them and I'd drive to other ramps that didn't have them.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · June-18-25, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by MikeM

Yes. Lodge 1969-1971 and Ford 1982-?

I remember them on the Lodge during that timeline. I had just started driving. But you're going to have a few idiot drivers who are impatient , and blow through them. I wonder what was the reason they were removed?

**Danny** · June-18-25, 08:55 AM

Great ideal to control traffic.

**Jimaz** · June-18-25, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

... I wonder what was the reason they were removed?

The Arab Oil Embargo was in 1973. Could that have been a factor?

Stopping and starting before entering a freeway would have been a fuel waster. People were advised to drive as if you have an egg between your foot and the accelerator.

**401don** · June-18-25, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

I remember them on the Lodge during that timeline. I had just started driving. But you're going to have a few idiot drivers who are impatient , and blow through them. I wonder what was the reason they were removed?

Very detailed explanation on google. AI provides really good results - until all the other problems kick in. Basically says it was due to public complaints and thoughts that it was causing traffic to be worse.

**MikeM** · June-18-25, 01:02 PM

Anyone remember this system on the Lodge? Images from the Detroit Historical Society.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · June-18-25, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by MikeM

Anyone remember this system on the Lodge? Images from the Detroit Historical Society.

Now that's nostalgic, but I don't seem to remember it.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · June-18-25, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Very detailed explanation on google. AI provides really good results - until all the other problems kick in. Basically says it was due to public complaints and thoughts that it was causing traffic to be worse.

Thanks 401don..

**Meddle** · June-18-25, 07:30 PM

I only remember the changing lane control on Grand River.

**Zacha341** · June-20-25, 09:12 AM

Scat Pack Dodge Chargers will certainly be constrained! NOT.

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

...But you're going to have a few idiot drivers who are impatient, and blow through them.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · June-21-25, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Scat Pack Dodge Chargers will certainly be constrained! NOT.

You're right about that. No stop light is going to hold them back!

**birwood** · June-27-25, 08:55 PM

I remember the traffic flow signals on the lodge and the stop/go light on the entrance to WB 94 at Trumbull. The ramp signals on 96, I can't wait to hear about all the fender benders on the ramps in the winter when its icey, freezing rain or heavy snow and vehicles can stop due to the slick pavement.

**Zacha341** · June-28-25, 01:02 AM

^ Yes, I recall a few decades ago traffic lights near the base of the South bound Lodge entrance ramp near West Grand Blvd. It was crazy. I mean your trying to build speed to get on then 'stop'. CRAZY!

**jiminnm** · June-29-25, 09:23 AM

I guess that means I would have to ignore my drivers' ed instructor at Pershing High. He always said to merge at or near the speed of traffic into which you are merging.

**401don** · June-29-25, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by jiminnm

I guess that means I would have to ignore my drivers' ed instructor at Pershing High. He always said to merge at or near the speed of traffic into which you are merging.

I don't understand why they would have them operating when the hwy was moving near normal speed. In Toronto they only run during rush hour when the traffic is moving at less than 30 mph.

**EASTSIDER BALDUCK** · June-29-25, 12:30 PM

It's typical politics.
Do something to brag about.

Do they wanna save fuel/boost insurance/make it safer?

Well maybe all of the above.
These won't last long.