IMPACT OF DYNAMIC MESSAGE SIGNS ON OCCURRENCE OF ROAD ACCIDENTS

Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) are key components of Advanced Traveler Information Systems to manage transportation networks, reduce congestion and improve safety through providing motorists with real-time information regarding downstream traffic conditions. While DMSs are intended to improve efficiency and safety of road networks, little has been done to study the effect of the signs on driver safety and their localized safety impacts. This thesis employs ground truth data as the basis to investigate the issue in State of Maryland in a four-year period (2007-2010). The results show no significant difference between the accident pattern in the proximity of DMSs and the onward adjacent segments. On-and-off study is also conducted on DMS operation status (on/off). The results converge with the previous analysis suggesting that there is no meaningful relationship between occurrence of accidents and presence of DMSs. Besides, statistical analysis on DMS characteristics and accidents in impact areas are performed

Assessment of impact of variable message signs on traffic surveillance in Kuala Lumpur

Variable message signs (VMS), also known as changeable message signs (CMS) or dynamic message signs (DMS), are traffic control devices to communicate with motorists. A VMS is generally used to inform motorists the roadway, traffic, or weather conditions. It is also used to display travel times and public service announcements. This study attempts to utilize archived traffic data from the MRR1 freeway area in Kuala Lumpur to assess the accuracy with which VMS display travel time estimates, and driver response to display messages of varying lengths and formatting. Results show that usage of Variable Message Signs reduces the average travel times during the duration of the incident until the clearing of the resulting congestion by a significant amount. Under the presence of VMS, there is a significant shift of people from higher travel times in case of incident to lower travel times. The results demonstrate that VMS has no significant impact on gap but occupancy comes down

Identification of safety effects of infrastructure related measures, Deliverable 5.2 of the H2020 project SafetyCube

Identification of safety effects of infrastructure related measures, Deliverable 5.2 of the H2020 project SafetyCub