Abstract
A single unit of information is an answer to any anticipated question a motorist may ask. Such questions include: “What happened? Where? What do I do?” This study, a first of its kind, analyzes the optimum number of units of information Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) should display to influence driver speeding behavior. A 155-mi2 virtual road network of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD-295) in Maryland was developed for use with a medium-fidelity driving simulator, and 65 participants took part in the study. Six scenarios featured DMSs displaying 2–7 units of information, interchangeably, and a total of 296 simulation sessions were conducted. Mean speeds are calculated over five different phases: the initial speed area, visible area, readable area, lost legibility area and post DMS area. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc analysis showed that participants tend to accelerate as soon as they lose sight of the DMS displaying 2–3 units of information and continue to do so after they pass the DMS. An ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis reveals that participants older than 55 slow down the most when they encounter DMSs with 6–7 units of information. Participants in the age group of 26–35 tend to increase speeds, especially when a DMS displays 2–4 units of information. This suggests that the comprehension time is low when there are fewer units of information on a DMS. Too little information may be unclear or ambiguous whereas too much may be hard to comprehend and cause drivers to slow down.
Highlights
In contemporary times, Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) called Variable Message Signs (VMSs) are a common sight on highways
Analytical results show that the average speed changing behavior is 2 to 25 km/h in the presence of VMSs compared to locations without VMSs [6]. These results show that there is a reduction in speed ranging from 11 to 15 km/h before, at and after VMS locations compared to locations without VMSs [6]
5 Results and discussion To identify the changes in average speed across the five phases for DMSs involving all units of information, a single factor Analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis was carried out
Summary
Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) called Variable Message Signs (VMSs) are a common sight on highways. Transportation agencies in different states use these signs to display traffic-related information involving current traffic conditions, work zone hazards, travel time and incidents, among others. One such study based on a survey revealed that 90% of the drivers would at least sometimes slow down when approaching an active DMS [10]. That was based on radar readings near a DMS, found that drivers tend to slowdown as they approach a DMS, with radars that are placed nearer to the DMS recording more reduction in speed [17]. Through field trials in London and Turin, it was observed that a DMS, with an immediate incident warning sign, results in an increase in the travel speed by around 3%, on average, as drivers wanted to balance the anticipated delays. One unit of information can be described as an answer to a Banerjee et al European Transport Research Review (2019) 11:15
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