With increasing congestion and freeways built out just about as far as they can go, transportation planners in the San Francisco Bay Area are considering plans to put on-ramp metering lights on many of the area's most congested stretches of freeway.
"In an age when building or widening freeways isn't possible or is prohibitively expensive, ramp metering lights are increasingly seen as the path to relieving traffic congestion."
"That's especially true on the Bay Area's most-congested stretch of freeway, Interstate 80 from Hercules to the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza. Traffic engineers are planning to make the on-again, off-again traffic signals the linchpin of an $88 million plan to squeeze the maximum efficiency out of the interstate, which can't be widened without destroying the swath of civilization built up against its noise barriers."
"But even 45 years after the first ramp metering was tested by police officers waving traffic onto Chicago's Eisenhower Expressway, some Bay Area officials are still skittish about impeding freeway access."
"'It's been kind of an uphill struggle in the Bay Area,' said Albert Yee, director of Highway and Arterial Operations for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. While the commission is attempting to promote and finance a $600 million area-wide system favoring more metering lights to help move traffic more efficiently, some officials in Contra Costa have resisted the effort."
FULL STORY: Freeway plan gets traction

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
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