EVALUATION OF RADIO TRAFFIC INFORMATION IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

The paper presents the results of an empirical study dealing with radiio traffic reporting in the San Francisco Bay Area. One half of the radio stations that provide traffic reporting in the Bay Area were suveyed to evaluate the method of data dissemination, rate of reporting, and content of radio information. The purpose of this investigation was to establish baseline data that can be used to measure the effectiveness of an advanced traveler information system. In particular, the findings of this study will be used for comparison with the data after the implementation of the TravInfo project, the field operational test (FOT) of the Bay Area advanced traveler inforamtion systems. The survey of radio stations indicated that morning traffic reports are broadcast most often with an average frequency of approximately 12 reports during peak hours. The radio stations in the North Bay Area provide a lower frequency of traffic reports relative to the entire Bay Area due to the lower population density and less severe traffic congestion. Frequency of traffic reports is not closely associated with listeners' traffic information needs. The radio information contents are mostly qualitative in nature; information regarding queue lengths, travel time delays, lane blockage duration's, and alternative route advice is seldom provided in radio traffic reports. Because radio traffic reports have a rapid and summary delivery style radio information is difficult to comprehend. The vast majority of stations cover the entire Bay Area; thereofre an extensive geograhic coverage of traffic conditions is required and consequently short, wide-area broadcasts sacrifice those details necessary for travelers to make most informed travel decisions.

• Corporate Authors:

  ITS America

  1100 17th Street, NW, 12th Floor
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Yim, Y
  • Pfeifle, B
  • Hellman, P
• Conference:
  • Intelligent Transportation: Realizing the Benefits. Proceedings of the 1996 Annual Meeting of ITS America.
  • Location: Houston, TX
  • Date: 1996-4-15 to 1996-4-18
• Publication Date: 1996

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 254-259

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced traveler information systems; Alternatives analysis; Data collection; Driver information systems; Evaluation and assessment; Information dissemination; Intelligent transportation systems; Needs assessment; Radio stations; Route guidance; Surveys; Traffic congestion
• Uncontrolled Terms: User needs
• Geographic Terms: San Francisco Bay Area
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00724740
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 9 1996 12:00AM