Presenting descriptive information in variable message signing

Presenting descriptive information in variable message signing

Janssen, W.H.
van der Horst, A.R.A.

1994

In a study of driving simulators the effects on route choice and driving behavior of presenting descriptive types of information on variable message (route guid-ance) signs were evaluated. Subjects had to choose between a normal route to a fixed destination, which could suffer from congestion of varying severity, and an alternative route. Three modes of variable information presentation were com-pared: (a) length of congestion, in kilometers; (b) delays relative to normal travel times, in minutes; and (c) travel times, in minutes. The reliability of the informa-tion was also varied and could be high, intermediate, or low. Thirty-six men participated in the experiment, and every subject made 123 runs in the simulator. By presenting descriptive information, divergence levels were found that varied widely over the range from 0 to 100 percent, as a function of the actual informa-tion given. This is to be compared with the inflexibility of conventional (prescrip-tive) signing. User optimum was most often reached by presenting travel time information. Such information also proved to be most resistant against degrada-tions in reliability. There was an overall increase in driving speed when descrip-tive information was given, and this may be interpreted as anticipatory behavior from the side of the driver to compensate for the expected delay upon finding the normal route to be congested.

In een simulatorstudie is gevonden dat het aanduiden van reistijden op variabele wegwijzers voordelen heeft boven hetop andere wijze aangeven van te verwachten oponthoud.

Traffic signals
Traffic safety

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:5c418c06-357e-485b-bccf-422b698ecf4d

7992

Transportation Research Record no. 1403, 1993.

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