Abstract
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.
Highlights
Another unique feature of the local traffic is the fact that most drivers are not native and come from a wide spectrum of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds
The positive response rate was lower for messages related to special events and adverse weather conditions
The drivers seem to respond more favourably to change of route messages when the causes of these messages are palpable to drivers in the study area, such as accidents and traffic congestion
Summary
Another unique feature of the local traffic is the fact that most drivers are not native and come from a wide spectrum of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. There are 3.9 million active driving licenses in Saudi Arabia, out of which 56% are for expatriate drivers [1]. Local traffic authorities are currently addressing the congestion problem by planning a massive mass transport system of underground networks. Variable Message Signs (VMS) is an ITS technique recently introduced in the country to inform the drivers about the instantaneous traffic conditions and to advise them how to cope with it. Such effort enhances traffic operation and improves safety. Dos Santos [4] reported possible reduction of rear-end collisions as result of using a combination of VMS and variable speed limits.
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