Evaluation on Traffic Congestion Mitigation in Beijing with Variable Message Signs

Operators of parking guidance and information systems (PGIS) often encounter difficulty in determining when and how to provide reliable car park availability information to drivers. Reliability has become a key factor to ensure the benefits of urban PGIS. The present paper is the first to define the guiding parking reliability of urban parking variable message signs (VMSs). By analyzing the parking choice under guiding and optional parking lots, a guiding parking reliability model was constructed. A mathematical program was formulated to determine the guiding parking reliability of VMS. The procedures were applied to a numerical example, and the factors that affect guiding reliability were analyzed. The quantitative changes of the parking berths and the display conditions of VMS were found to be the most important factors influencing guiding reliability. The parking guiding VMS achieved the best benefit when the parking supply was close to or was less than the demand. The combination of a guiding parking reliability model and parking choice behavior offers potential for PGIS operators to reduce traffic congestion in central city areas.

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Analysis of the Influence of Traffic Information Messages on Route Selection

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129503901704 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 39 (17) ◽

pp. 1082-1086

Author(s):

W. Bradley Fain

Keyword(s):

Situation Awareness ◽

Intelligent Transportation Systems ◽

Traffic Congestion ◽

Intelligent Transportation ◽

Transportation Systems ◽

Traffic Information ◽

Route Selection ◽

Variable Message Signs ◽

Message Format ◽

Message Signs

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can reduce traffic congestion by displaying congestion-related delay information on roadside variable message signs or in-vehicle displays. Message format and content may have a significant impact on the percentage of drivers who decide to make a route diversion. In this study, the effect of various traffic information message types on driver routing decisions was evaluated. Results suggest that messages including both an advisory and a descriptive component promote situation awareness and rapid decision making, both of which are critical for this application.

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

PROMET - Traffic&Transportation ◽

10.7307/ptt.v26i2.1305 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 169-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nedal Taisir Ratrout ◽

Yazan F Issa

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Field Experiment ◽

Traffic Congestion ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Evaluation Process ◽

Local Environment ◽

Statistical Relationship ◽

Variable Message Signs ◽

Traffic Conditions ◽

Message Signs

Recently, Variable Message Signs (VMS) were introduced in Saudi Arabia and their reliability under local environment is being tested. This paper aims to evaluate the possible response of the drivers to VMS when used for messages related to traffic conditions. A major arterial in Al-Khobar city in Saudi Arabia with a massive VMS board was selected for this paper. The evaluation process started by interviewing drivers selected randomly from the study area. About 77% of the interviewed drivers indicated positive attitude toward messages requesting change of route. The drivers’ interviews demonstrated statistical relationship between the degree of response to messages requesting change of route and the reason for such request. The maximum response was for messages related to accidents, roadwork activities, and traffic congestion. A field experiment was also conducted along the studied arterial. It was found that VMS statistically increased the percentage of diverted traffic during specific peak periods.

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