Driver Behavior and Preferences for Changeable Message Signs and Variable Speed Limits in Reduced Visibility Conditions

Abstract

This article investigates the factors affecting drivers' stated behavior in adverse visibility conditions and examines whether drivers rely on and follow advisory or warning messages displayed on portable changeable message signs (CMS) and/or variable speed limit (VSL) signs in different visibility and traffic conditions, and on two types of roadways: freeways and two-lane roads. A multiple-approach survey was designed to collect opinions and stated data from Central Florida drivers.Categorical data analysis techniques such as conditional distribution, odds ratio, and chi-squared tests were applied. In addition, two modeling approaches, bivariate and multivariate probit models, were estimated. The results revealed that gender, age, road type, visibility condition, and familiarity with VSL sign were the significant factors affecting the stated likelihood of reducing speed following CMS/VSL instructions in reduced visibility conditions. Other objectives of this study were to determine the content of messages that would achieve the best perceived safety and drivers' compliance and to examine the best way to improve safety during these adverse visibility conditions. The results indicated that respondents thought that "Caution-fog ahead-reduce speed" was the best message and that using that CMS and VSL signs together was the best way to improve safety during such inclement weather situations. Based on the findings of the present study, several recommendations are suggested as guidelines to improve safety in reduced visibility conditions.

A comparison of self-nominated and actual speeds in work zones

“…Existing literature (not related to work zone, but to other road sections) shows mixed results on influence of gender on speed choice. Mannering (2007) found that males drive faster than females according to self-report data, while females are reported to be more cautious (Hassan et al, 2012) and more supportive of lower speed limits (Debnath et al, 2013;Lahausse et al, 2010). Male drivers were also found to be less likely to believe that their safety is threatened when driving 10 mph (16.1 km/h) over posted speed limit (Mannering, 2009).…”

An examination of the factors that influence drivers’ willingness to use the parking guidance information

“…Erke et al (2007) found that the information supplied by Variable Message Sign (VMS) has a very effective role in changing driving routes. Hassan et al (2012) declared that the content of the information has a great influence on drivers' safety perception. Otherwise, the location where to release the information also plays an important role in drivers' behavior (Jiang, 2006).…”

“…Lots of models and methods were used to analyze the impact factors how to influence drivers, including the Bayesian learning model (Kobayashi, 1994), the multinomial logit model (Wardman et al, 1997), the binary contingent choice model (Anderson, et al, 2006), bivariate and multivariate probit models (Hassan et al, 2012) and the structure equation model (Fujii et al, 2009). The analysis of variance method was applied to study the drivers' response to vehicle induction information (Adler, 2001).…”

Safety-Oriented Speed Guidance of Urban Expressway under Model Predictive Control

“…Driver obedience for the speed guidance value affected the effect directly. The effect might also lose even play a negative role when the traffic demand reached a certain level [34][35][36][37]. Models of these researches were established under accident data, so it requires a lot of high-quality traffic accident data.…”