A ramp meter on an Oregon freeway on-ramp turns green. How many vehicles may proceed?
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A.
As many as can fit until the meter cycles back to red.
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B.
One vehicle each time the light turns green. Correct
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C.
Two vehicles per green.
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D.
As many vehicles as are waiting at the meter.
The answer is "One vehicle each time the light turns green."
Only one vehicle can proceed each time the green light comes on at a ramp meter. For multi-lane on-ramps, each lane has its own meter, so one vehicle from each lane proceeds per green cycle. When your green appears, speed up to merge with traffic on the freeway. Ramp meters only operate during certain times of day, and they appear dark when not in use; at a dark ramp meter, do not stop.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. As many as can fit until the meter cycles back to red.
Only one vehicle per green; this is the rule that distinguishes ramp meters from regular traffic signals. Misreading: Treats a ramp meter like a regular traffic signal where any vehicles within the intersection during a green phase may proceed; the manual is explicit that only one vehicle proceeds per green.
C. Two vehicles per green.
The rule is one vehicle per green, regardless of how many lanes the on-ramp has. Misreading: Confuses the multi-lane rule (each lane has its own meter) with a multi-vehicle-per-green allowance; the manual specifies only one vehicle proceeds per green light.
D. As many vehicles as are waiting at the meter.
Ramp meters throttle traffic onto the freeway; they do not clear the on-ramp queue in a single green. Misreading: Misunderstands ramp meters as queue-clearance signals rather than traffic-throttling devices; the manual specifies only one vehicle proceeds per green light.
This question tests your knowledge of Lane Changes & Merging in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Freeway Driving, Entering a Freeway (Ramp meters)," p.35..
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