Perception of VMS Effectiveness: A British and Canadian Perspective

Variable Message Signs are becoming a common sight on the UK Motorway network and have been well established on North American Freeways for several decades, as highway authorities strive to better manage scarce road network resources and provide travellers with up-to-date traffic information and alternative route options. The flexibility of VMS allows them to display varied information on road conditions, safety messages, alternate routes, speed limits, and general travel information. The steady growth in deployment of VMS in the next few years will lead to enhanced use of information to better manage highways and control levels of traffic congestion. The effectiveness of VMS in achieving this goal, however, depends entirely upon driver response to and perception of the information displayed. Previous research has indicated that VMS information needs to be timely, accurate, easily understandable and also believable for motorists to take any notice of it and act accordingly. This paper will report on findings from several attitudinal questionnaire surveys, conducted in and around London and Manchester in the UK, and Toronto in Canada, to determine VMS effectiveness. The studies focus on driver perception of the effectiveness of different types of information displayed and drivers’ preferences for future information provision

A Review of Drivers' Requirements for Guidance and Information in CLEOPATRA Cities.

The contents of this working paper were submitted in modified format as the End Users’ Requirements section of Deliverable 1, Work Package 3, of the European Commission DG X111 C Telematics for Transport project CLEOPATRA (City Laboratories Enabling Organisation of Particularly Advanced Telematics Research and Assessment), project no. TR 1012, June 1996. Various studies on drivers' requirements for guidance and information have been carried out in both Europe and the USA. An executive summary of these requirements is provided in the following sub-section. The full details of research previously conducted is given in section 2, where the main findings from a selection of studies are summarised. The subsequent section 3 on Drivers’ Requirements in CLEOPATRA Cities, gives city specific requirements where previous work has been undertaken to assess these as part of work for other European projects. Finally the conclusions on Drivers’ Requirements are summarised in section 4 and research references listed in section 5

How highly does the freight transport industry value journey time reliability - and for what reasons?

Delays to road freight vehicles impose a very high cost on the nation. Delayed arrival time can occur for a variety of reasons. This paper presents the findings of a Highways Agency funded study, which has investigated the user valuations of three different kinds of delay: • A delay resulting from an increased journey time, with fixed departure time • An increase in the spread (or range) of arrival times for a fixed departure time • A schedule delay where the departure time is effectively put back. The paper summarises the findings of the study, which centred on an interview survey of forty shippers, hauliers and third party logistics operators. Respondents were asked to consider one of their freight flows on the trunk road network in detail. Various reasons why respondents value a high degree of predictability of journey times on the trunk road network are identified and discussed. The paper then moves on to present and discuss user valuations of each kind of delay, estimated using the Leeds Adaptive Stated Preference (LASP) methodology

Satellite Navigation Technology Applications for Intelligent Transport Systems: A European Perspective.

This paper focuses on real-world applications of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in the field of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). The key advantages offered by satellite technology of observation, telecommunications and navigation, are highly suited to the needs of future transport systems of all kinds. The paper will outline the various current European based applications of satellite navigation systems to intelligent transport systems, drawing on recent European telematic research project findings and good case study examples of early system implementation throughout Europe. With regards to recent EU research, the paper will give an overview of current cutting edge transport research and its implications for the use of satellite navigation technologies and will summarise the key findings from recent test implementation schemes and detail the opportunities for future market exploitation. With regards to the case study examples, a range of full scale and partially implemented Intelligent Transport Systems will be highlighted, with reference made to costs and benefits to society. The paper will therefore report on a wide range of successful land based transport systems utilising satellite navigation technology which have been brought to the market in recent years, including developments in the following systems: Automatic Vehicle Location for monitoring public transport; Real-Time Passenger Information for public transport users; In-Vehicle Dynamic Route Guidance for car drivers; Road User Charging to better manage the demand for road space in congested networks; Intelligent Speed Adaptation to control the speed of vehicles externally for improved road safety; Demand Responsive Transport to provide a door-to-door service for disabled and elderly travellers; Traveller Information Systems for improved and integrated travel information for travel by all modes; and, Fleet Tracking Systems for better management of freight movements and goods delivery. Future transport applications will also be considered, with the emphasis being placed on novel and interesting potential developments to aid safety, improve the flow of traffic and provide enhanced travel information services and thus generate an integrated transport system with social, economical and environmental benefits. Potential future applications include: Automated Highways, Remote Sense Parking, Vehicle Access & Control systems, Floating Vehicle Data, Automated Freight Delivery Systems, Personal Navigation, and future transport modes such as Personal Rapid Transit and Cyber-Cars, i.e. driver-less vehicles. In conclusion the paper will outline some exciting new developments and intriguing future applications for Satellite Navigation Technology in the field of Intelligent Transportation services provision

Variable message signs in London: evaluation in CLEOPATRA

Discusses a planned study, CLEOPATRA, into variable message road signs (VMS) in London. Firstly, usage of current VMS systems, and driver attitudes and requirements, are examined. A stated preference study is being conducted to determine the likely effect that particular messages could have on driver route choice in London and the route choice logic is to then be incorporated in RGCONTRAM. Subsequently driver diversion rates will be modelled using RGCONTRAM for a network of Inner North London to predict the likely resulting flow patterns and network performance under incident conditions with and without information being present. A field demonstration will be conducted where traffic measurements and driver decisions will be observed and compared to those modelled. Results will also contribute to an economic evaluation of VMS and to the production of message.<br/

Driver response to variable message sign information in London

Variable message signs (VMS) have been installed in London to notify motorists of planned events and current network problems. To guide investment and operational decisions an understanding is required of the impacts of VMS information. This paper presents the results of a study of driver response to VMS information. The study employed questionnaires to investigate the effect of different messages on route choice. A statistical analysis of stated intention questionnaire data enabled logistic regression models to be developed relating the probability of route diversion to driver, journey and message characteristics. The resultant models indicate that the location of the incident and the message content are important factors influencing the probability of diversion. A survey of drivers' actual responses to a message activation showed that only one third of drivers saw the information presented to them and few of these drivers diverted, although many found the information useful. Only one-fifth of the number of drivers diverted compared to that expected from the results of the stated intention questionnaire. It is thought that the low response rate achieved for the stated intention survey will have exaggerated drivers' responsiveness to VMS messages. Interestingly, survey data for another UK city with a newly installed VMS system showed that the number of drivers diverting due to VMS information was very similar to that expected from the results of the stated intention questionnaire. It is suggested that the use of London's VMS signs to display warnings of disruptions expected on future dates may be reducing their effectiveness as a channel for more urgent warning

Evaluation of the London driver information system: results from the CLEOPATRA study

CLEOPATRA was a project in the European Union Fourth Framework Programme. It was concerned with scientific techniques (algorithms, models and strategies) to support driver information and guidance systems. It evaluated techniques in six collaborating cities. In London, the work included evaluation of the variable message sign (VMS) installations operated by the Metropolitan Police from New Scotland Yard. The CLEOPATRA study attempted to identify the impacts of VMS in London through driver surveys, network modelling and traffic monitoring. Driver surveys were conducted to examine attitudes and responses to VMS. Impacts of VMS were then modelled to predict flow patterns and network performance under incident conditions with and without information present. Finally, a field survey was conducted with messages activated on one of the VMS signs and driver responses measured. This paper summarises the results of the study and discusses its implication