The effect of information on drivers’ toll lane choices and travel times expectations

Abstract

This paper reports on a study of drivers’ toll lane choices and the effect of the type and content of information they are provided with on their travel time expectations and lane choices. In the data collection experiment, participants were asked about their travel time expectations. A mixed-effects regression model is developed to predict these expected travel times depending on the toll rates and type and content of travel information they are provided with. Then, a model to predict the choice whether or not to use the toll lane, using the expected travel times as explanatory variables, is formulated and estimated. The results show that drivers’ expected travel times are affected by the information provided to them on the VMS. In particular, in the absence of precise travel time information drivers use the toll rate itself as an indicator to the expected travel times. In the choice model, there is a significant heterogeneity in preferences and the related values of time among drivers. In particular, there are large differences in values of time between drivers who pay the toll themselves and those whose employers pay the tolls.