TRAFFIC CONTROL BY MEANS OF VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS
In urban areas it is generally not possible to increase the amount of space available to traffic, and there are limits to the way in which traffic can be controlled with light signals. At periods when the system is overloaded, with the attendant increased risk of accidents and increased air pollution, other traffic control measures must be taken to relieve or redistribute the traffic flow. For this purpose one can use variable traffic signs which are switched on only in the rush hours. Thus, detours can be avoided during off-peak periods. The authors explain the theoretical considerations and clarify them by means of examples. The system is applied to the town of Aachen in an attempt to see to what extent the individual measures are sensible and can help to reduce the weak points shown by the analyses. Within the framework of a partial strategy in a section of the network (temporary recommendation of an alternative route by means of variable traffic signs indicating "Town Centre"), data obtained in "before and after" measurements are used to check the effects of the control measures. The most important results are that the degree of compliance could be calculated as 7.1%, and the journey time saved on the alternative as compared with the standard route was 24%. It appears that also in urban networks and with relatively simple means recommendations can produce successful results.
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Corporate Authors:
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
State Office Building, 2 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI United States 02903 -
Authors:
- Albrecht, H
- Schneider, H W
- Publication Date: 1976
Media Info
- Features: Figures; Tables;
- Pagination: 152 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Peak hour traffic; Peak periods; Traffic control; Travel time; Urban areas; Variable message signs
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00164910
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: Report No. 206
- Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Nov 23 1977 12:00AM