Citation

Mast TM, Ballas JA. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 600: 14-19.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of certain diversionary highway guide sign variables on the driver's ability to process and interpret directional information. The work was conducted under controlled field conditions by using an instrumental vehicle with an in-vehicle sign simulation device. The primary independent variables consisted of message content, message severity, and message redundancy. Driver route choice behavior, information interpretation time, message preference, and interrogative responses concerning route choice decisions were the measured dependent variables in the study.

RESULTS indicated that the frequency of bypass choice was related to the severity of the message on the advisory sign and type of information. Higher severity messages and time delay information were associated with decisions to bypass the main route. The advisory signs used in the study were interpreted as being directive, especially when congestion information was presented. Congestion information was also more familiar to the subjects and was associated with quicker information interpretation time, indicating that decisions were quicker and easier with congestion information.