CRITICAL DRIVER INTERFACE

This article explains why variable message signs (VMS) provide a critically important interface between Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and drivers. If a VMS has poor performance, is illegible, or is badly installed, it will damage the credibility of the ITS to which it belongs. In the system design and selection process, VMS require equal consideration as detection, data acquisition, monitoring, control, and communication systems. For the foreseeable future, collective driver information systems using VMS will be the primary method by which an ITS disseminates its information to drivers. The EU has done much to enhance the credibility of VMS messages in its DRIVE research programme. In the UK, the Highways Agency (HA), Scottish Executive, and Welsh Assembly have all been progressive in applying VMS. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has formulated four criteria for applying VMS successfully: can the observer see the sign in its environment, read its message, understand its message, and rely on its message. Work on a European (CEN/EN) draft standard for VMS has progressed well. The article discusses fibre optic technology in VMS and lists its advantages and disadvantages, and a new range of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/25073860
• Corporate Authors:

  Route One Publishing Limited

  19/21 High Street
  Sutton, Surrey SM1 1DJ,   England 
• Authors:
  • Stainforth, R
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 71-2
• Serial:
  • World Highways/Routes du Monde
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Route One Publishing Limited
  • ISSN: 0964-4598
  • Serial URL: http://www.worldhighways.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Communications; Data collection; Design; Detection and identification; Detectors; Driver information systems; Drivers; Intelligent transportation systems; Policy; Quality control; Surveillance; Variable message signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Quality; Selection
• ITRD Terms: 9098: Communication; 8623: Data acquisition; 9011: Design (overall design); 9115: Detection; 1772: Driver; 8763: Driver information; 8735: Intelligent transport system; 173: Policy; 9063: Quality; 9072: Selection; 9101: Surveillance; 574: Variable message sign
• Subject Areas: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Policy;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00790476
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 11 2000 12:00AM