Driver response to variable message signs-based traffic information

Abstract

This study investigates driver response attitudes to traffic information provided through variable message signs (VMS). It develops VMS driver response models using stated preference data collected through three different survey administration methods: an onsite survey, a mail-back survey, and an Internet-based survey. In the process, it highlights the strengths and limitations of each method in eliciting driver response attitudes to information provision. The use of different media for the survey administration provides insights for the design of travel surveys. A key study focus is to evaluate the effectiveness of Internet-based surveys for analyzing driver behavior under information provision. The results illustrate that a combination of survey administration methods may generate more representative data. They also indicate a high correlation between VMS message type and driver response. This suggests message content as a control variable for traffic system operators to trigger optimal routing policies under congested conditions to improve network performance. The paper highlights the benefits afforded by Internet-based surveys in the study context. They are cost-effective, amenable to automation, less laborintensive, can target certain market segments more effectively, and can enable greater clarity in the survey through better visual articulation. However, their widespread use requires greater market penetration in terms of Internet access.

Determinants of driver response to variable message sign information in Athens

“…This is considered to be 'active' guidance compared to 'passive' information, where no advice on alternative routes is provided. In general, messages suggesting alternative routes result in higher diversion rates [29]. An alternative way of referring to these terms is prescriptive against descriptive information [33].…”

“…Ben-Elia et al [43] found that 'inexperienced' drivers would divert more, as they would rely more on the information provided rather than their knowledge of the network. On the other hand, network familiarity allows more for driver diversion, as familiar drivers have knowledge on alternative routes, whether this is approached through the variable of driver experience (years of license acquisition) [42] or not [20,22,27,29,44].…”

“…Other socioeconomic characteristics that have been found to influence drivers' choice to divert include household size (positive correlation) [20], driver occupation [45] and driver education (positive correlation) [29]. Drivers who drove company-owned vehicles were also found to be less likely to divert [26,39].…”

Developing corridor choice model under hypothetical Variable Message Sign based traffic information

“…In recent years, there has been a growing trend of providing real time traffic information through VMS board as an instrument for temporal and spatial management of traffic congestion (Peeta et al 2000;Chaterjee et al 2002;Baofeng et al 2005;Bierlaire et al 2006;Maitra, 2007 and2010a). VMS is proven to be cost-effective measure (Adler and Blue 1998;Peeta and Ramos 2006) for mitigating traffic congestion. Many previous investigations showed that, if real time traffic information via roadside VMS was provided to trip makers in some strategically selected locations, then a change in route switching behavior among trip makers and drivers was expected.…”

Effectiveness of Newly Introduced Variable Message Signs in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

“…Another study reviewed by Nygardhs and Helmers [19] hinted to some Another survey study in Wisconsin indicated that drivers consider VMS useful in reporting weather status and traffic conditions [12]. Peeta and Ramos [20] investigated the drivers' response to traffic information disseminated through VMS and found a strong correlation between VMS message type and the drivers' response.…”