OPTIONS FOR ASSURING ADEQUATE MOTORIST TRAVEL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Historically information relating to goods and services needed during travel has been delivered through a combination of official signing, billboards, guidebooks and maps. Implementation of laws restricting billboards has caused concern that needed information will not be available. Authorization for special official signing and other information facilities has been included in all Federal billboard laws but has not been systematically implemented. Congressional authorization contemplates a cooperative, coordinated, multi-media, incremental information system reflecting functional needs of motorist. Information needs regarding goods and services are met by (1) locational information, (2) directional information, and (3) preference information. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Task Force recommends that the national policy on information systems recognize that the general duty to provide a safe, efficient, economical and convenient highway system includes the specific duty to assure that motorists using that system have adequate, timely information regarding goods and services and attractions that may be travel objectives. Existing legislative authority provides options for State highway agencies to meet this travel information need by developing a "mix" of techniques that is suitable to individual State or regional needs and circumstances. Specific options are listed and described. Recommendations for developing adequate motorist travel information systems are made. (Author)

• Record URL:
  • https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trcircular/275/275-002.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was published in Transportation Research Circular N275, Issues Relating to National Policy on Motorist Information and Roadside Amenities. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Netherton, R D
• Publication Date: 1984-4

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 4-21
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: 275
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Consumer behavior; Consumer preferences; Direction signs; Driver information systems; Guidelines; Location; Maps; Needs assessment; Traffic signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: User needs
• Old TRIS Terms: Directional sign
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Law; Operations and Traffic Management; Society; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00386439
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jun 28 1984 12:00AM