Virginia Department of Education Expressway Note Packet

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.

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

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

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 

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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