Content of Variable Message Signs and On-Line Driver Behavior

2000 ◽  
Vol 1725 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srinivas Peeta ◽  
Jorge L. Ramos ◽  
Raghubhushan Pasupathy
Keyword(s):  
Network Traffic ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Stated Preference ◽  
Control Variable ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Spatial Knowledge ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Driver Response ◽  
Traffic Conditions ◽  
Message Signs

Variable message signs (VMS) are programmable traffic control devices that convey nonpersonalized real-time information on network traffic conditions to drivers encountering them. Especially useful under incidents, VMS aim to influence driver routing decisions to enhance network performance. This study investigates the effect of different message contents on driver response under VMS. Presumably, if the message content is a significant factor in driver response, the traffic controller can use it as a control variable to influence network traffic conditions positively without compromising the integrity of information. This issue is addressed through an on-site stated preference user survey. Logit models are developed for drivers’ diversion decisions. The analysis suggests that content in terms of the level of detail of relevant information significantly affects drivers’ willingness to divert. Other significant factors include socio-economic characteristics, network spatial knowledge, and confidence in the displayed information. Results also indicate differences in the response attitudes of semitrailer truck drivers compared to other travelers. They provide substantive insights for the design and operation of VMS-based information systems.

Microsimulation Analysis of Highway-Rail Grade Crossings: A Case Study in Lincoln, Nebraska

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence R. Rilett ◽  
Justice Appiah
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategy ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Microscopic Traffic Simulation ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Driver Response ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
Message Signs ◽  
Different Levels

This paper examines the usefulness of supplementing railroad preemption operations at highway-rail grade crossings with variable message signs. Using the microscopic traffic simulation model, VISSIM, the effects on grade crossing operations of different train dwell times as well as different levels of driver response to a variable message sign in the vicinity of the crossing are assessed. The results affirm the potential usefulness of variable message signs for preventing lengthy queues and illustrate the importance of explicitly considering the delay experienced by vehicles on the blocked roadway in developing a traffic control strategy for highway-rail grade crossings.

Traffic Control with Variable Message Signs

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark G.M. Brocken ◽  
Martie J.M. van der Vlist
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Message Signs

scholarly journals Visual Perception and Understanding of Variable Message Signs: The Influence of the Drivers’ Age and Message Layout

Safety ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Gianfranco Fancello ◽  
Patrizia Serra ◽  
Claudia Pinna
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Information ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Elderly Drivers ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Perception Time ◽  
Suitable Structure ◽  
Perception Process ◽  
Message Signs ◽  
One Way Anova

Variable message signs (VMS) are used to display messages providing up-to-date traffic-relevant information so that drivers can safely adapt their behavior in real time. The information reported in a VMS should be brief but comprehensive to minimize perception time. The latter can be influenced by the way the message is displayed. This study investigates how the different ways of displaying the same message can influence reading time and the information perception process at different driving speeds. Specifically, the following message characteristics are investigated: (i) use of uppercase and lowercase letters; (ii) use of familiar pictograms; and (iii) use of less familiar pictograms. Furthermore, as perception time typically changes with ageing, drivers belonging to three different age classes are tested. The experimentation was performed by simulating a vehicle passing along a straight road upon which a VMS displaying different messages was placed. Experimentation results are analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, Friedman rank-sum test and Welch one-way ANOVA, showing that: (i) the use of uppercase or lowercase does not seem to significantly affect reading times; (ii) the use of pictograms that are not very familiar to habitual road-users can be counterproductive for the perception process; (iii) elderly drivers always have greater difficulty in perceiving the message than young or middle-aged drivers. The findings of this study can be of help for traffic authorities to design the most suitable structure for a VMS so that its information can be unequivocally and immediately conveyed to drivers.

Influence of text luminance, text colour and background luminance of variable-message signs on legibility in urban areas at night

2020 ◽  
pp. 147715352095846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y He ◽  
Y Li ◽  
L Xing ◽  
Z Qiu ◽  
X Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Visual Recognition ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Background Luminance ◽  
Traffic Sign ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Variable Message Sign ◽  
Message Signs

Variable-message signs, which are an important type of traffic sign, have been widely used in traffic control. This study examines the influence of text luminance, text colour and background luminance of variable-message signs on legibility in urban areas under night-time vision. First, the background luminance of variable-message signs in typical urban areas is investigated, tested and classified as high, medium or low depending on the obtained values (3.0, 1.0 or 0.1 cd/m2, respectively). Second, a calculation model is established for the experimental visual recognition distance under different visual acuity conditions, the experimental luminance interval is determined based on psychophysical magnitude perceived, and a legibility experiment is performed using Landolt-C rings. Finally, the reasonable luminance interval (minimum [replacement] luminance), optimal luminance and changing trends of luminance for red, green and yellow colours under different background luminances are obtained such that the legibility requirement is satisfied. The results indicated that different colours have different luminance interval and optimal luminance under different background luminances. This study is of great importance in determining the reasonable luminance of variable-message sign texts and improving the safety and efficiency of road traffic. In the future, these research results are expected to serve as guidelines for variable-message sign setup and management.

A comparative analysis of information provision strategies for parking variable message sign display problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 2725-2735
Author(s):  
Xun-You Ni ◽  
Weite Lu ◽  
Chunqin Zhang ◽  
Yong Liu ◽  
Jing Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Traffic Conditions ◽  
Average Travel Time ◽  
Parking Lot ◽  
Message Signs ◽  
Urban Parking

Parking spaces are insufficient and are plagued by over-consumption in hot areas. To assist drivers easily in identifying available parking spaces, parking variable message signs are commonly adopted to display information on space availability. This paper analyzes the performance of various information provision strategies. To achieve this objective, we first present the mechanisms of the information provision strategies. Then, the information provision strategies are classified into three categories: regular, symmetric, and discriminative. The regular strategies provide the collected parking information directly to drivers; the symmetric schemes employ the equal threshold values for all parking lots; and the discriminative schedules adopt an independent threshold value for each parking lot. The threshold value provides an upper limit for the Space Occupancy Percentage (SOP): when the SOP is larger than the threshold value, the parking lot status becomes FULL; otherwise, it is displayed having available spaces. Finally, an agent-based simulation model is introduced to describe the parking and traffic conditions. The results indicate that both the symmetric and discriminative strategies significantly decrease the highest failure rate and average travel time, whereas the latter performs better. The results of this comparative analysis can assist in the configuration and operation of an urban parking guidance and information system.

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

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
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.

Driver Response to Variable Message Signs on Urban Arterial Roads in Xi’an

CICTP 2020 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Zhao ◽  
Wenjing Zhao ◽  
Zhuanglin Ma ◽  
Ying Xiong
Keyword(s):  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Driver Response ◽  
Message Signs ◽  
Urban Arterial
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