Diversion during unexpected congestion on toll roads: the role of traffic information displayed on dynamic message signs

    Authors

    H. Al-Deek; T. W. P. Lochrane; Cvsr Chandra;A. Khattak

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    IET Intell. Transp. Syst.

    Keywords

    DRIVERS ROUTE CHOICE; TRAVELER BEHAVIOR; SYSTEMS; MODEL; Transportation Science & Technology

    Abstract

    Dynamic message signs (DMS) are electronic signs displayed on roadways, providing travel times, traffic congestion, AMBER alerts, and special events. Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) in Florida added 29 fixed DMS to their toll road network between 2006 and 2008. The research issues investigated in this study are: 1) whether use of dynamic information on toll roads is associated with route diversions, and 2) are users satisfied with the available dynamic information? The instrument used to analyse travellers' perception of DMS and traffic information was a survey conducted in Central Florida region in May 2008 using Computer Aided Telephone Interview. Respondents answered questions on knowledge of DMS on OOCEA toll roads, satisfaction with travel information provided on the network and with different aspects of messages, route diversion (revealed and stated preferences), and demographics. A multinomial logit model was estimated to quantify the odds of choosing different diversion alternative over the alternative of 'stay' that elucidated the differences in diversion behaviour. Results showed that factors associated with greater route diversion are longer travel times, longer delays, information sources, network familiarity, and trip characteristics. Respondents were generally satisfied with DMS. Hazard warnings and accuracy of dynamic information were deemed important for satisfaction.

    Journal Title

    Iet Intelligent Transport Systems

    Volume

    6

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2012

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    97

    Last Page

    106

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000304611300001

    ISSN

    1751-956X

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