The Effect of Travel Time Information, Reliability, and Level of Service on Driver Behavior Using a Driving Simulator

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates travelers’ perception of and response to travel time information and its reliability, in terms of their route choice behavior elicited through a driving simulator and a stated preference (SP) survey. In the driving simulator-based experiments, a 220 mi 2 network in Maryland is developed, and different scenarios of traffic and driving conditions, information provision, and reliability levels are considered. The travel time information is provided using a dynamic message sign (DMS). There are three major routes between the origin and destination, one of which is a toll road. 216 experiments are conducted using a sample of 65 participants from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Multinomial logistic regression models are used to analyze the collected data. The results illustrate that trip purpose, travel time reliability, congestion level, and income are important determinants of drivers’ route choice behaviors. The route choice behavior revealed through the driving simulator is shown to be significantly different from that stated in the survey questionnaire.