An evaluation of the ramp metering effectiveness in reducing carbon dioxide emissions

Abstract

In this study, we develop a methodology to estimate the effectiveness of ramp metering in reducing CO₂ emissions. Ramp metering is one of several Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications to control traffic flow. In this paper in order to estimate the reduced emissions, we followed the procedure supported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN-FCCC). And ramp metering causes some drivers to change their routes and affects CO₂ emissions on the ramp and on the main lane. With these issues in mind, we performed Stated Preference analysis to determine the degree of driver preference for individual traffic situations.The Traffic Software Integrated System (TSIS) simulation program was used to verify the CO₂ measurement model. The TSIS simulation showed that the reduction in CO₂ emissions was 818.4 kg/h and that the decrease in the effectiveness was 7.3%. It also revealed that ramp metering reduced the CO₂. emissions to 3,273.6kg emissions per day and 1,194.9 ton per year. In conclusion we found that ramp metering is effective in reducing CO₂ emissions.