Effectiveness of Variable Message Signs on Driving Behavior Based on a Driving Simulation Experiment

Yan, Xuedong; Wu, Jiawei · 2014 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1155/2014/206805

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Summary

This study investigates the effectiveness of Variable Message Signs (VMSs) on driving behavior, specifically examining how sign location and information format influence route choice, speed control, and lane changing. Motivated by the need to optimize Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for urban congestion relief in China, the research addresses a gap in existing literature that relied heavily on questionnaires or low-fidelity simulations. The authors utilized a high-fidelity driving simulator at Beijing Jiaotong University to test 52 drivers (25 professional, 27 unprofessional) across three scenarios. The experimental design varied two key factors: the distance of VMS-I from a diverging intersection (0 m, 200 m, or 400 m) and the information format of VMS-II (text-only, graphics-only, or combined text and graphics). The simulator featured a 300-degree visual field and a full-size cabin, allowing for precise data collection on instantaneous vehicle velocity and lane-changing metrics at a 60 Hz sampling rate. The analysis employed binary logistic regression for route choice decisions and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) for lane-changing behaviors. Results indicate that driver characteristics significantly moderate VMS effectiveness; older drivers and female drivers were less likely to change routes based on VMS guidance compared to younger male drivers. Professional drivers showed a significantly higher acceptance rate for VMS advice than unprofessional drivers. Regarding sign location, placing the VMS 400 meters upstream of the intersection was more effective for route choice than placing it at 0 or 200 meters. However, placing the sign at 0 meters resulted in significantly higher lane-changing deceleration rates, indicating abrupt and potentially unsafe maneuvers due to insufficient reaction time. In terms of information format, the graphics-only format was superior to text-only formats in prompting route changes. The combined text-and-graphics format did not offer a significant advantage over graphics alone for route choice, though it influenced lane-changing timing and position. Speed analysis revealed that drivers typically perceive VMS information and make decisions approximately 70 meters upstream of the sign. The findings suggest that to balance traffic safety and operational efficiency, VMSs should be positioned between 150 and 200 meters upstream of diverging points. This distance allows sufficient time for drivers to process information and execute lane changes without excessive deceleration. Furthermore, the study concludes that graphical representations of traffic status are more effective than text-based messages for influencing driver behavior. These insights provide specific design guidelines for ITS engineers, emphasizing that sign placement and visual presentation are critical determinants of driver compliance and safety in urban road networks.

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• signage environment