The effectiveness and benefits of traffic information systems (SVI2000/386)
Overview
Background & policy context:
The importance of traffic information is increasing as the road systems become even more congested. Further development of the technologies and services requires investment which, particularly in view of today’s limited financial resources, calls into question the effectiveness and the benefits of traffic information time and time again.
Objectives:
This research project is an attempt to find answers to the causalities of traffic information, the effects on road users and road travel and their factors of influence. It endeavours to describe and quantify the benefits of traffic information and includes recommendations for improving its effectiveness and enhancing these benefits. The investigations cover dynamic, situation-dependent traffic information and deal with the various distribution media, such as radio, navigation systems, mobile communications, etc. They do not cover variable message signs installed on the road network.
Methodology:
After evaluating the literature, the first task was to identify the fundamental chain of effects and the generation of benefits. This formed the basis for establishing the measurement and survey concept, using two typical stretches of road: the A1 Berne/Grauholz and the A1 Winterthur bypass.
The measurements involved, among other things, identifying traffic diversions due to a revised choice of route resulting from congestion messages. In the case of the A1 Winterthur bypass, interviews were also conducted with motorists delayed in traffic jams.
The results were compared with the findings of an unrelated domestic survey conducted by FEDRO, the Federal Roads Office. In both cases, those interviewed were asked to give their opinion of traffic information, their response to the traffic information they received and their personal evaluation of the benefits of traffic information. Whereas the domestic survey was concerned with different types of traffic information, the focus of the survey of motorists delayed in traffic jams was directed towards the effects of traffic information in conditions of road congestion.
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