DEVELOPING A SYSTEM OF TRAVEL TIME MESSAGES ON FREEWAY VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS IN THE PHOENIX METROPOLITAN AREA

The general public often has two complaints regarding the use of variable message signs (VMSs): they are blank (no message) all the time, or they only provide obvious and vague information (i.e., "Congestion Ahead.") One potential solution to both of these complaints is to display travel time messages on a regular basis, such as during the weekday peak periods. For example, a VMS might display the message: "TRAVEL TIME TO/ I-10 TUNNEL/ 8-10 MIN" (with a backslash representing a new line.) The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a system of travel time messages on freeway VMSs in Phoenix, Arizona. This paper can be used as a framework for the development of travel time message systems in other cities or, at the least, shed light on the numerous issues to consider when displaying a travel time message. Specifically, this paper identifies and evaluates various travel time message formats currently used in other areas across the nation, reviews the process used for selecting specific travel time messages in Phoenix, and analyzes the benefits and costs of the recommended travel time message system in Phoenix.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings are available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  ITS America

  1100 17th Street, NW, 12th Floor
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Colyar, J D
  • Wolfe, T
  • Hansen, A
• Conference:
  • At the Crossroads: Integrating Mobility Safety and Security. ITS America 2004, 14th Annual Meeting and Exposition
  • Location: San Antonio, Texas
  • Date: 2004-4-26 to 2004-4-28
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 25p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefits; Communication systems; Costs; Freeway operations; Messages (Communications); Traffic congestion; Traffic delays; Travel time; Variable message signs
• Geographic Terms: Phoenix (Arizona)
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00976029
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 1 2004 12:00AM