Citation

Kolisetty VG, Iryo T, Asakura Y, Kuroda K. J. Adv. Transp. 2006; 40(1): 47-74.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Institute for Transportation, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article reports on a study undertaken to determine how effective traffic advisory information is when helping drivers to divert from potentially dangerous conditions. The authors focus on the use of variable message signs (VMS), particularly those that show different speed limits under different conditions. Speed is a core issue in road safety and the relationship between speed and accidents is complex one. In addition, adverse weather conditions reduce driver perceptions and affect perceptual judgment of speed and distance. The authors used a driving simulator in a laboratory setting to examine the effect of VMS on driver speed behavior while viewing the information provided through VMS. If drivers can be persuaded to changed their driving behaviors based on the VMS information, road hazards can be avoided. The simulation featured an 8.5km long simulated Oyamazaki section of the Meishin Expressway under foggy conditions in cases without VMS and with VMS. Results showed that 40% of subjects received VMS effectively, there was marginal effect on 40% of subjects, and no effect on 20% of subjects. The authors note that even though subjects were driving on a section where a maintenance vehicle and a few passing vehicles were placed randomly, subjects were shocked by the presence of a maintenance vehicle in the center lane. The authors conclude that understanding and reacting to the system by subjects is essential for its success. Although additional detailed study is necessary, provision of traffic advisory information was found to affect driver speed behavior and to reduce road accidents and fatalities.