Effectiveness of dynamic messaging on driver behavior for late merge lane

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) planned to employ a system of dynamic message signs (DMS) to enhance standard temporary traffic control for lane closures and traffic merges at two bridge construction projects in western Iowa on I-80 during the 2008 construction season. To evaluate the DMS system's effectiveness for impacting driver merging actions, the Iowa DOT contracted with Iowa State University's Center for Transportation Research and Education to perform the evaluation and make recommendations for future use of this system based on the results. For both of these periods, a statistical review of collected data did not indicate a significant impact on driver merging actions when the DMS messaging was activated as compared to free flow conditions with no messaging. Collection of relevant project data proved to be problematic for several reasons. In addition to personnel safety issues associated with the placement and retrieval of counting devices on a high speed roadway, unsatisfactory equipment performance and insufficient congestion to activate the DMS messaging hampered efforts. Comparison of data from the Iowa DOT's automated traffic recorders (ATRs) in the area also suggested variations in results from these data collection systems. Additional comparison studies were recommended.

• Record URL:
  http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/reports/driver_behavior_lane_merge.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa State University. Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE)

  Ames, Iowa  United States 
• Authors:
  • Sperry, R
  • McDonald, T
  • Nambisan, S
  • Pettit, R
• Publication Date: 2009-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 40p + appendices

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Drivers; Evaluation; Highway traffic control; Lane closure; Merging traffic; Traffic signs; Variable message signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road safety (human factors)
• Geographic Terms: Iowa
• ATRI Terms: Driver behaviour; Evaluation; Lane closure; Merging traffic; Traffic control; Traffic management; Traffic sign; Variable message sign
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01384143
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 22 2012 4:14PM