Examining the Impacts of Portable Changeable Message Signs on Drivers' Speed Characteristics: A Driving Simulator Study

Alternative Title

Examining Impacts of Portable Changeable Message Signs on Drivers' Speed Characteristics: Driving Simulator Study

Abstract

Using a driving simulator (DS), this paper analyzes the speeding behavior of drivers impacted by four different messages displayed on portable changeable message signs (PCMS) placed upstream from a construction zone on an interstate highway in Missouri. The four PCMS placed sequentially replicated the Missouri work zone and participants evaluated the messages displayed in a DS. The effects on drivers’ speed as a result of these messages were analyzed at eight locations, 1000 ft. before and after each PCMS. Five different scenarios (0-4) were simulated; control scenario set up with static signs. In Scenario 1, “Caution Work Zone Ahead: Reduce Speed Ahead” was displayed on the PCMS. Scenario 2 utilized (MS-2), “Speed Ahead 30 mph/2 mins to end of Work Zone.” Scenario 3 tested “Prepare to stop/2 mins to end of Work Zone”, and Scenario 4 deployed “Prepare to stop/Stopped Traffic Ahead.” Scenarios 1-4 were compared to the control scenario; Scenario 4 had the highest speed reduction, followed by Scenario 3, Scenario 2, and Scenario 1. The 85th 13 percentile speeds in the work zone closely matched with the displayed speed for MS-2. A significant reduction in speed was found on the eighth interval as it was placed before the start of the lane closure. Results from a drivers’ survey conducted after the DS experiment, indicated that MS-2 was the preferred message as it displayed a specific speed for the participants to follow. The results from the survey reinforced that PCMS were effective in reducing the speeds of the drivers.

Meeting Name

95th Annual Conference of the Transportation Research Board (2016: Jan. 10-14, Washington, DC)

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Research Center/Lab(s)

Intelligent Systems Center

Comments

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AND20 Standing Committee on User Information Systems.

Keywords and Phrases

Drivers; Driving simulators; Portable equipment; Speed; Variable message signs; Work zone safety; Speed reduction measures

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2016 The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

14 Jan 2016

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