MOTORIST INFORMATION NEEDS AND CHANGEABLE SIGN MESSAGES FOR ADVERSE WINTER TRAVEL

The purpose of this study was to evaluate motorist information needs during adverse winter travel conditions and apply this information to changeable message signs. Local commuters and interstate truck traffic along Interstate 80 in southeast Wyoming were the principle source of information. Laboratory studies, field surveys and supplemental surveys were used for the collection of data. The specific objectives of this research were as follows: (1) to identify and separate user groups within the study population; (2) to identify information need consistencies within user groups for particular adverse winter travel conditions; (3) to determine the priority of winter travel information needs; and (4) to develop changeable sign messages to be displayed for different adverse weather travel conditions. Chapter 1 of the report discusses the study purpose and objectives. Chapter 2 gives a chronological history of changeable message signs from the early 1950s to the latest technologies being evaluated for the future. The chapter is also a review of the guidelines which have been established for changeable message signs in an advisory role. Chapter 3 describes the study site and the methodology used to develop the various means of data collection. The field surveys, supplemental surveys and the laboratory study are all described in detail. Techniques used to analyze the data are also described. Chapter 4 presents the results of the study. The various relationships between the information needs of the motorist and adverse winter travel conditions are identified. Chapter 5 lists the conclusions of the study and gives recommendations for further studies.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=293
• Corporate Authors:

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108
• Authors:
  • Wilson, E M
  • Pouliot, S G
• Publication Date: 1992-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 108 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data analysis; Data collection; Driver information systems; Field studies; History; Interstate highways; Laboratory studies; Mathematical analysis; Needs assessment; Recommendations; Rural highways; Surveys; Variable message signs; Weather conditions; Winter
• Subject Areas: Highways; History; Operations and Traffic Management; Research; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00634419
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Rept No. 92-11
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 30 1993 12:00AM