Abstract: This field study was designed to compare the effects of two technologies used in variable speed limit signs on (a) speed behaviour, (b) recall of signs, and (c) recognition of variability of a sign. The speed limit signs used fibre-optic technology and electromechanical technology equipped with a fluorescent reflective sheeting. The experimental site was located on an inter-urban road, with a fixed speed limit of 80 km/h. Variable speed limit signs of 60 km/h (during data collection) were erected before an intersection with a secondary road. The stimulus condition was changed every hour to match lighting and traffic conditions. Data was collected in two lighting conditions, daylight and night-time. Speed was measured by detector loops 1 km and 30 m before the intersection. Drivers were interviewed about 1.7 km after passing the sign and asked mainly about the contents of the variable speed limit sign. According to the results, in daylight there was no statistically significant difference in the effects on speed of the two signs for vehicles travelling in free-flow traffic, although there was a slight tendency to greater speed reductions with the fibre-optic sign. In the dark, however, the fibre-optic sign cut the mean speed of cars and vans travelling in free-flow traffic significantly more (3.9 km/h) than the electromechanical sign. Also, the speed limit was less frequently exceeded by more than 5 km/h when the fibre-optic sign was used. The results of driver interviews showed that drivers recalled the fibre-optic sign more frequently than they did the electromechanical sign. In the dark, the recall rate for the fibre-optic sign was 73.9% compared with 56.8% for the electromechanical sign. A similar pattern was evident in daylight, but only for drivers passing the site weekly or more frequently. A high level of brightness seemed to be the most frequently recalled feature, except for the electromechanical sign in the dark, when drivers most frequently indicated that the sign was a conventional one. In both lighting conditions, drivers passing the fibre-optic sign more frequently than drivers passing the electromechanical sign recognised the sign as variable. The main implication of this study is that a variable speed limit sign with fibre-optic technology is more effective than an electromechanical sign. Although the overall speed data in daylight did not support this conclusion, the interview results suggest that the relatively strong effects of the electromechanical sign were limited to drivers passing the site less than weekly. In the dark, the more substantial effects of the fibre-optic sign were evident in greater effects on speed, and in the higher recall rate of the speed limit and variability of the sign.

Abstract: The goal of the Midwest States Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative (MwSWZDI) is to develop better ways of controlling traffic through work zones, which improves traffic safety and traffic operating efficiency of work zones. To achieve this goal, the program is currently evaluating 20 different traffic control and traffic management strategies. This paper describes the evaluation of three traffic control and traffic management strategies that involve Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies. In summary, the Wizard CB Alert System broadcasts a CB message warning motorists monitoring the CB of an approaching work zone. The Safety Warning System transmits a message to vehicles with Safety Warning receivers, informing those motorists of the approaching work zone. The Safety Warning System also acts like a drone radar system, alerting vehicles equipped with radar detectors, making drivers believe that radar-equipped enforcement officials may be present. The Speed Display Monitor uses radar to detect the speed of passing vehicles and displays their speed on a two-character variable message sign. Because the device uses radar, it acts like drone radar and alerts vehicles equipped with radar detectors. Each of these systems is evaluated in a freeway work zone environment.

Abstract: Since the introduction of variable display technologies in traffic management, a large variety of dynamic systems have emerged. This paper discusses the new collective traffic information system being developed and implemented within the MOBINET project in Germany, which uses dynamic graphical traffic information. To gain knowledge on important cognitive aspects, various techniques of laboratory research including questionnaire surveys and driving simulation were used in MOBINET. (A) For the covering abstract see ITRD E197057.

Abstract: Metropolitan Expressway Public Corporation developed and installed graphic information boards on a large-scale project such as is seen nowhere in the world. The intention is to make driving on Metropolitan Expressways safe, smooth and pleasant from an early date, beginning with Variable Message Sign (VMS) providing driver information. The introduction of graphic information boards, how information is displayed, the mechanism for presenting information, and evaluations of their effects are presented. Studies for presentation of graphic information in long tunnels, which will soon be part of the traffic scene in the Tokyo area, are described. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.

Abstract: Variable Speed Limit (VSL) systems are a type of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that utilize speed detection, weather information, and road surface condition technology to determine safe speeds at which drivers should be traveling given current roadway conditions. These advisory speeds are usually less than the posted speed limits, and can be displayed on overhead or roadside variable message signs (VMS). A study has recently been initiated, by the Federal Highway Administration, to identify and characterize the usage of VSL throughout the world. This paper provides preliminary findings of this study. The paper focuses on the role that speeding plays in rural crash causality and describes foreign and domestic applications of VSL systems. General conclusions and descriptions of future work to be performed under the project are also presented. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.

Abstract: This field study was designed to compare the effects of two technologies used in variable speed limit signs on (a) speed behaviour, (b) recall of signs, and (c) recognition of variability of a sign. The speed limit signs used fibre-optic technology and electromechanical technology equipped with a fluorescent retroreflective sheeting. Data was collected in two lighting conditions, daylight and night-time. The results showed that a variable speed limit sign with fibre-optic technology is more effective than an electromechanical sign. Although the overall speed data in daylight did not support this conclusion, the interview results suggest that the relatively strong effects of the electromechanical sign were limited to drivers passing the site less than weekly. In the dark, the more substantial effects of the fibre-optic sign were evident in greater effects on speed, and in the higher recall rate of the speed limit and variability of the sign. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.

Abstract: The development of business to business services in application domains is well served by the use of the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) as defined by the Object Management Group (OMG). The intelligent transportation systems (ITS) domain must meet statutory requirements for centre to centre communications in all countries but it is also becoming commercially active in the development of new travel related products. This paper discusses the design, implementation and results from a pilot application in the use of CORBA to deliver, in near real time across the Internet, a service which notifies clients of the state of the matrix signal and variable message sign settings on the English motorway network.

Abstract: Technical developments during the last years have made the car as a sensor (or: floating car data) concept a feasible method for collecting data from road traffic. Once this technology is available, the possibility arises to provide the driver of equipped vehicles with accurate and detailed information or advice. This report describes a driving simulator experiment that was conducted to investigate the effects of such in-car information on driving behaviour, taking a queue warning system as a case. A comparison is made among driving with in-car information, with roadside information by means of variable message signs (VMS), and without additional information. In a simulated motorway environment, participants of the experiment were every now and then confronted with a stationary traffic queue. The results show that the queue warning systems all result in the intended changes in driving behaviour when approaching stationary traffic queues. With a queue warning system, the process of speed reduction starts at a larger distance with respect to the tail of the traffic queue, and the occurring maximum decelerations are smaller than without a system. The system results in a increase of the minimum time-to-collision (TTC) in the phase up to the final approach part of the manoeuvre. The behaviour found in the condition with in-car information was closest to the control condition without any pre-warning information. This shows that replacing roadside information with what seems optimised in-car information will not always lead to the same (or better) results in terms of driving behaviour. (A)

Abstract: The Highways Agency has developed the Travel Information Highway (TIH) system to disseminate and exchange real-time information on traffic and road conditions to third party information service providers, who in turn provide information services to the public. The TIH provides the important link between external organisations and services allowing the commercial exchange of traffic data but still recognising data ownership and the need for data charging. It will provide an open communication interface for the exchange of real time information between road authorities and driver information service providers. The TIH forms a fundamental part of the Highways Agency's Traffic Control Centre (TCC) initiative providing the primary means for the dissemination of traffic information to other network operators and driver information service providers. The TCC contractor will also be required to promote the use of the TIH encouraging other travel data owners to make their information available. Key to the project's success is its ability to provide an open interface to transport and travel data into client organisations using CORBA. The use of this architecture provides a solution to integrating geographically separate heterogeneous systems. This paper outlines the background philosophy behind the development of the TM concept and also describes the Highways Agency's experience in developing and implementing demonstration motorway matrix signal and variable message sign (VMS) CORBA service.

Abstract: The effectiveness of variable message signs (VMS) in improving safety certainly depends on a chain of requirements including the quality of traffic data collection and processing, the performance of automatic incident detection algorithms, correct driver perception of the meaning of the signs, and finally appropriate driver behaviour in response. The present paper focuses on the question of correct driver perception of VMS and the relation to appropriate behaviour. In a controlled perception test performed on a sample of Munich drivers, most drivers correctly interpreted the meaning of typical and proposed combinations of pictograms and messages. Nonetheless, statistical evidence for a direct response in the speed level of a highway to variable speed limits is very weak if confounding factors such as traffic context are properly taken into account. Hence, since the signs are being perceived properly and accidents are in fact decreased, the mechanism for safety improvement does not appear to be speed level decrease itself, but rather more subtle effects of variable messages on traffic flow such as more far-sighted driving due to the perception of increased danger. If this is the mechanism behind improved safety, then more effort should be concentrated on characterizing and enhancing this response mode. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.

Abstract: CLEOPATRA was a project in the European Union Fourth Framework Programme. It was concerned with scientific techniques (algorithms, models and strategies) to support driver information and guidance systems. It evaluated techniques in six collaborating cities. In London, the work included evaluation of the variable message sign (VMS) installations operated by the Metropolitan Police from New Scotland Yard. The CLEOPATRA study attempted to identify the impacts of VMS in London through driver surveys, network modelling and traffic monitoring. Driver surveys were conducted to examine attitudes and responses to VMS. Impacts of VMS were then modelled to predict flow patterns and network performance under incident conditions with and without information present. Finally, a field survey was conducted with messages activated on one of the VMS signs and driver responses measured. This paper summarises the results of the study and discusses its implications.

Abstract: The ROMANSE Project, based on Southampton, UK, utilises route guidance Variable Message Signs (VMS) to disseminate traffic and travel information. Network monitoring data has been collected and stored, enabling a post-mortem analysis of driver response to VMS to be undertaken whenever a relevant major incident occurs. This paper describes the results from an incident that occurred on 27 March 2000 on Redbridge Causeway. Analysis of the traffic flow data observed an increase of approximately 1,000 vehicles on the diversionary route during the morning peak period. A traffic assignment model, RGCONTRAM, simulated the incident scenario off-line and this diversion rate translates to network benefits of some 2,600 vehicle hours. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.

Abstract: Leicester, the United Kingdom's first Environment City, was European Sustainable City in 1996. Urban Traffic Control, installed in 1970 with the SCOOT (Split Cycle Off-set Optimisation Technique) demand responsive traffic control system, was upgraded in 1988 and again in 1996. Integrating this with Air Quality Monitoring, Modelling and Forecasting identifies in 'near real-time' and 24/48 hour horizons pollution 'hot spots' providing information to enable dynamic traffic demand management and allow an informed public to exercise choice concerning intermodal travel. Differential Global Positioning System provides real-time bus location and passenger information. Integrated Application for Digital Sites project uses dynamic data injection and retrieval, virtual private networks, CCTV, to disseminate information to the community via a variety of media including VMS (Variable Message Signs), RDS-EON (Radio Data System - Enhanced Other Network), cable networks and the internet. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.

Abstract: There are close to a dozen toll expressway in Malaysia built by the private sectors and a few more in the list waiting to be constructed. The purpose is basically to provide a better alternative to the one provided by the government in terms of smooth traffic flow, less congestion and accident and at the same time to help spur the economic activities that connecting major cities through out the nation. Surprisingly only three expressway operators thus far that have put the traffic control and surveillance systems (TCSS) in place. TCSS is basically a supporting system to aid the expressway operators in running and operating the expressway as well as in providing assistance to the users a smooth and comfortable journey. Following to the above matter an ergonomics study is carried out to confirm the specification on design aspects. The studies will include the rest and service area (RSA), emergency telephone (ET) system and variable message sign (VMS). Basically the design at present is based on anthropometr...

Abstract: A new algorithm produces intelligent VMS settings for the balancing of load among motorways. This algorithm is integrated in the commercially available transport modelling software POLYDROM and has four main modules. The first is the calibration of the origin destination matrix with actual counts from induction loops. The second is the short term forecast with the help of reference variation curves. The third is the simulation and evaluation of the next time step with many different VMS. In the fourth module, the VMS setting which minimises the maximal load / capacity ratio of all links is set for the next time step. The methodology and the software are ready to be applied to similar situations where unnecessary congestion can be avoided by intelligent balancing of the traffic among the infrastructures. Examples are access to city centres, airports or other large traffic attractors, P+R facilities, events, exhibitions, etc. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.

Abstract: The COMPANION system, which has been developed by BMW over the last ten years, is a roadside hazard warning and information system designed for use on inter-urban roads. Its main objective is to reduce the number of 'shunt' style accidents by warning drivers in advance of stationary vehicles in front of them. This is done through roadside electronic guide markers, which emit yellow or orange signals, to indicate that there are incidents ahead. The system has been trialled at Dunfermline in Scotland, Munich in Germany and Verona in Italy. The main objective of the trials has been the assessment of driving behaviour and user acceptance of COMPANION. Overall, traffic speeds are reduced by between 10% and 20%, on activation of the system and instances of critical headways between vehicles are reduced significantly. The system is well liked by drivers who see it as providing a positive improvement in road safety. This opinion is also held by those who operate the system, primarily to advise motorists of incidents ahead and to protect those who have already been involved in an incident. There is some objective data that the system has a real impact on accident rates, although a longer post opening period is required before any firm conclusions can been drawn in this area.

Abstract: Using input from the public, a new type of vehicle emissions information system has been developed which utilizes an innovative variable message sign to display individual vehicle emissions information to passing drivers. Called the Smart Sign, the system merged highway messaging and on-road vehicle emissions sensing into a cost-effective public information system. The Smart Sign used a combination of words, colors, and graphics to connect with its audience. During its operational test period the system proved to be a viable technical concept which can be operated dependably and safely in even high traffic areas (in excess of 1000 vehicles per hour). The system was subjected to a wide range of operating conditions including weather extremes (−20 to 100 °F, heavy rain, hail, snow) and between May 16, 1996 to May 15, 1997 recorded unattended emissions information of more than 3 million readings from an estimated 250 000 individuals. The ability to operate the system without constant human supervision has cr...

Abstract: Traffic congestion is an increasing problem in many cities today. The main cause of congestion is over-saturation of the networks but the situation is made worse by the occurrence of incidents. This paper describes recent research to enhance SCOOT to improve its congestion and incident management facilities. These have been incorporated into an experimental system which has been tested both by simulation and in on-street trials in Kingston, London. The work has been carried out as part of the European Union, DGXIII 4th Framework project, COSMOS, with additional funding from the DETR (Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions).