1. Virginia Department of Education
Expressway
Note Packet

2. Expressway Notes
Entrance Ramp
The entrance ramp allows drivers to enter the ramp and begin searching for a gap/open space Accelerate to speed of traffic Determine the open space and merge safely
Entrance Ramp
Interstate and other limited access highways are usually reached through what is called an “Entrance Ramp.” Before you enter be sure you are using the correct entrance.
To assist you in making the correct decision the state has posted guide signs that will inform a driver of the route number, direction and the name of a city or cities located in that direction.
To merge onto the expressway safely, a driver must blend into high-speed traffic smoothly. This action requires the driver to adjust speed and position accordingly.
Ramps may be uphill, downhill, or level with the expressway
Some entrance ramps enter from the left instead of from the right.
This means that merging traffic is entering the far-left lane, usually reserved for higher speed traffic. Consequently, the potential for vehicle merging problems is much greater. Furthermore, when entering the expressway from the left, the search pattern is also different, in that it is directed to the right and over the right shoulder instead of to the left of the vehicle. Also, additional lane changes to the right may be necessary once on the expressway if your desired speed is less than the traffic flow in the left lane of the expressway.

3. Entrance Ramp Problems
Expressway Notes
Entrance Ramp Problems
Heavy traffic, short ramps and acceleration lanes
High walls that may block visibility
Traffic ahead on the ramp that slows or stops abruptly
Sharp curves on the ramp that restrict visibility
On-Ramp
Reducing Risk on the Entrance Ramp
· Searching for the proper entrance
· Searching ahead, behind, and on the expressway
· Preparing to adjust speed for blocked ramp
· Avoiding stopping or backing on ramp

4. Entering the Expressway
Expressway Notes
Entering the Expressway
3 Parts of the Entrance Ramp
Entrance
Acceleration lane
Merge area
1. Entrance
Entrance ramps or on-ramps provide vehicles with a one-way directional access to the expressway. For maximum safety engineers have designed expressway entrance entrances into three sections:
1 . The Entrance Ramp — Also referred to as an access ramp — this first section of the highway entering ramp gives the driver time to evaluate the traffic conditions he/she is about to enter. Depending on the style of interchange, the entrance ramp can be level with the expressway or on an uphill or downhill grade.
Each entrance has special search characteristics and requires special attention. Search ahead for traffic on the ramp, look for a gap in traffic on the expressway and for any traffic signs such as “stop” or “yield”.
2. The Acceleration Lane — Traffic on the expressway will be moving at high speeds. The acceleration lane allows you to get your vehicle’s speed up to or near the speed of traffic on the expressway. The amount of acceleration will depend on the expressway’s traffic flow and if other vehicles are ahead in the acceleration lane.
3. The Merging Area — The final part of the expressway entrance, this area is where the acceleration lane merges with the expressway. When merging attempt to move onto the highway at the speed traffic is moving.
2. Acceleration Lane
3. Merge Area

5. Good Habits Using the Acceleration Lane
Expressway Notes
Acceleration Lane
Used to accelerate to blend with the speed of traffic on the expressway
Acceleration Lane
Try not to stop in an acceleration lane
If unavoidable: flash brake lights, pull to the shoulder at the end of the acceleration lane or merge area, wait for a large gap, signal, accelerate quickly to merge
Good Habits Using the Acceleration Lane
Maintain speed/acceleration
Signal
In the acceleration lane accelerate to the speed of vehicles on
the limited access road
Continue to check front and rear zones, mirrors and blind spot
Decide when and where to merge 

6. Expressway Notes
Merge Lane
The merge area provides a designated space to blend into expressway traffic
. Merge Area
When you enter most expressways and merge from the entrance ramp area you will be traveling in the far-right lane of a multiple lane roadway. You will be entering two or more lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction.
Speed limit s a driver’s ability to use his/her peripheral vision effectively.
Driving with the flow of traffic is the best way to establish and maintain a safe space around your vehicle and avoid the possibility of exceeding the legal posted speed.

7. Merging—Selecting a Gap
Expressway Notes
Merging—Selecting a Gap
Check Front Zone Check Rear and Left Rear Zones Select Gap Identify a Target Area in the Open Space and Merge
Merging Problems
Heavy traffic
Lack of a gap
Traffic slowing or stopping ahead
Merging
Before entering the merge area you should have identified which vehicle you will follow or move in front of.
Merge into the lane position and blend your speed with the traffic flow.
Position your vehicle at a safe interval behind the vehicle you have selected.
Search for potential conflicts
Create space around your vehicle once you have entered the lane
Could adjust speed or change lanes
***When a driver is attempting to merge onto the expressway, help them by adjusting speed or changing lanes if it is safe to do so

8. Entrance Ramp Mistakes
Ramp Meters
Entrance ramp traffic lights are designed to distribute traffic onto the expressway when traffic is heavy Permits one car at a time to enter the expressway
Entrance Ramp Mistakes
If you ever enter a ramp area and see it marked with “DO NOT ENTER” and/or “WRONG WAY” signs, immediately pull over to the edge of the road, you are going in the wrong direction
The possibility of a collision is high
When the way is clear, turn around and get off the ramp

9. Expressway Notes
Expressway Numbering
Even numbers go east-west (I-64, I-66) Odd numbers go north-south (I-77, I-81, I-95) Odd numbers begin in the west and get larger as they move east Even numbers begin in the south and get larger as they move north
3-digit numbers designate an alternate route
If the first digit is even, the alternate route goes around the city (I-664)
If it is odd, it leads into the city (I-164)
The “Interstate” sign is shaped like a shield and is red, white, and blue in color. The expressway number follows a specific numbering pattern.
North/south routes have odd numbers.
Even numbers are assigned to east/west routes.
Most routes are one and two-digit numbers.
Alternate routes are usually three-digit numbers.

10. Types of Entrance/Exit Ramps
Expressway Notes
Types of Entrance/Exit Ramps
Cloverleaf Interchange
Trumpet Interchange
Allows minimal disruption of speed or movement
A cloverleaf interchange has a series of entrance and exit ramps that resemble the outline of a four leaf clover.
This type of design allows for the interchange of two expressways or major roadways. The cloverleaf provides entrance and exit weave lanes that allows traffic to leave one roadway and enter another roadway with minimal disruption of speed or movement.
Curved roadways have banked and flat exits, which lead to braking and steering problems as drivers adjust from high speed to the speed of the exit curve. The curves are often noted by reflector poles, which are frequently knocked down by vehicles that lose tire traction due to excessive speed on the entry and exit of the curved roadways.
 A cloverleaf interchange is an intersection for two expressways or an expressway and another roadway
Frontage Road Interchange

11. Vehicle exiting expressway
Weave Lane
A “weave” lane serves as both an entrance and an exit lane
Traffic entering and exiting must use the same lane
Conflicts can occur
The driver entering from the entrance ramp should yield to the driver leaving the expressway
Vehicle entering expressway
Vehicle exiting expressway

12. Expressway Signs Warning signs Regulatory Signs
Expressway Notes
Expressway Signs
Warning signs
Regulatory Signs
High Occupancy Vehicles only
During heavy traffic periods, HOV lanes are reserved for buses, carpools, other high occupancy vehicles
Motorcycles and certain clean special fuel vehicles are also allowed to use the HOV lane
The “Interstate” sign is shaped like a shield and is red, white, and blue in color.
· GUIDE signs to help drivers to their destination by identifying the route.
Expressways through cities
Be prepared for sudden “slow down” and congestion
Avoid driving in the right lane when vehicles are merging
Search for signs, signals, and roadway markings
Search for exits early to avoid last minute lane changes

13. Driving on Expressways
Expressway Notes
Driving on Expressways
Wolf packs are groups of drivers traveling together at higher speeds
Driving in a “wolf pack” allows you little or no margin of safety
Avoid “wolf packs”
If you see a “wolf pack” approaching from the rear, move over and let them by you
Lane Choice
Lane choice is dependent upon several
factors
Volume of traffic
Type of traffic
Speed
Planned exit
Right Lane
Center Lane
Left Lane
Multiple lanes make proper lane selection critical. Stopping distances increase with higher speeds.
The far right lane has potential for conflicts with drivers entering and leaving the expressway – avoid until preparing to exit

14. Exiting an Expressway The exit has two components:
Expressway Notes
Exiting an Expressway
The exit has two components:
1. Deceleration lane
2. Exit ramp
1. Deceleration Lane
2. Exit Ramp
Although exiting an expressway is usually a smooth procedure, there are inherent dangers you need to be aware of.
A driver should never wait until the last minute to attempt a lane change to reach an exit.
Plan your exit as far in advance as possible.
If you miss your exit or you cannot change your lane position safely, continue and take the next available exit.

15. Expressway Notes
Deceleration Lane
This is the area where speed can be significantly reduced
Deceleration lanes allow drivers to reduce their speed without blocking traffic on the expressway
Look for the advisory speed sign for the deceleration lane
Wait until reaching the deceleration lane before reducing speed
Deceleration Lane
Exit Ramp
The Deceleration Lane — this area allows a driver exiting the expressway the time and space he or she would need to adjust vehicle speed to the significantly slower posted ramp speed without interfering with other expressway traffic.
At the deceleration lane entrance, perform a smooth lane change procedure and move into the deceleration lane
The deceleration lane may be very short requiring a more rapid speed reduction
Once in the deceleration lane, release accelerator and cancel signal
Flash brake lights to warn others
Slow and maintain following distance, search for traffic controls
Failing to see target exit ramp in advance
Reducing speed before the deceleration ramp
Failing to signal
Failing to check rearview mirror
Failing to reduce speed on the exit ramp
Failing to cancel signal

16. THE EXIT RAMP ALLOWS TRAFFIC TO ENTER AN ADJOINING ROADWAY
1. Brake to Warning Sign Speed — Check Behind
2. Scan New Path of Travel to the Front
3. Search for Traffic Control Signs or Signals
Potential Exiting Problems
Short deceleration lane
Sharp curve on ramp
Traffic stopped on the exit ramp
There may be a STOP sign or a traffic light at the end of the exit ramp. The driver must adjust from a fast speed to a STOP in a short distance.

17. Applying SEEiT on Expressways
Search for
Signs, signals and markings
Sudden changes in traffic flow
Constant lane changers
Traffic entering and exiting the expressway
Tailgaters
Traffic suddenly slowing
Evaluate – the potential hazards above
Example: Is my exit coming up soon and I need to change lanes?
Execute
Avoid sudden moves
Use minimal steering inputs to change lanes when passing, entering, or exiting
Avoid last minute decisions or indecision
higher speeds demand quicker decisions
Signal for every maneuver
 In Time