Traffic Control with Variable Message Signs

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark G.M. Brocken ◽  
Martie J.M. van der Vlist
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Message Signs

Influence of text luminance, text colour and background luminance of variable-message signs on legibility in urban areas at night

2020 ◽  
pp. 147715352095846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y He ◽  
Y Li ◽  
L Xing ◽  
Z Qiu ◽  
X Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Visual Recognition ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Background Luminance ◽  
Traffic Sign ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Variable Message Sign ◽  
Message Signs

Variable-message signs, which are an important type of traffic sign, have been widely used in traffic control. This study examines the influence of text luminance, text colour and background luminance of variable-message signs on legibility in urban areas under night-time vision. First, the background luminance of variable-message signs in typical urban areas is investigated, tested and classified as high, medium or low depending on the obtained values (3.0, 1.0 or 0.1 cd/m2, respectively). Second, a calculation model is established for the experimental visual recognition distance under different visual acuity conditions, the experimental luminance interval is determined based on psychophysical magnitude perceived, and a legibility experiment is performed using Landolt-C rings. Finally, the reasonable luminance interval (minimum [replacement] luminance), optimal luminance and changing trends of luminance for red, green and yellow colours under different background luminances are obtained such that the legibility requirement is satisfied. The results indicated that different colours have different luminance interval and optimal luminance under different background luminances. This study is of great importance in determining the reasonable luminance of variable-message sign texts and improving the safety and efficiency of road traffic. In the future, these research results are expected to serve as guidelines for variable-message sign setup and management.

Content of Variable Message Signs and On-Line Driver Behavior

2000 ◽  
Vol 1725 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srinivas Peeta ◽  
Jorge L. Ramos ◽  
Raghubhushan Pasupathy
Keyword(s):  
Network Traffic ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Stated Preference ◽  
Control Variable ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Spatial Knowledge ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Driver Response ◽  
Traffic Conditions ◽  
Message Signs

Variable message signs (VMS) are programmable traffic control devices that convey nonpersonalized real-time information on network traffic conditions to drivers encountering them. Especially useful under incidents, VMS aim to influence driver routing decisions to enhance network performance. This study investigates the effect of different message contents on driver response under VMS. Presumably, if the message content is a significant factor in driver response, the traffic controller can use it as a control variable to influence network traffic conditions positively without compromising the integrity of information. This issue is addressed through an on-site stated preference user survey. Logit models are developed for drivers’ diversion decisions. The analysis suggests that content in terms of the level of detail of relevant information significantly affects drivers’ willingness to divert. Other significant factors include socio-economic characteristics, network spatial knowledge, and confidence in the displayed information. Results also indicate differences in the response attitudes of semitrailer truck drivers compared to other travelers. They provide substantive insights for the design and operation of VMS-based information systems.

Effect of Variable-Message Signs in Reducing Railroad Crossing Impacts

2003 ◽  
Vol 1844 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sivanandan ◽  
Francois Dion ◽  
Hesham Rakha ◽  
Michel Van Aerde
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Microscopic Simulation ◽  
Freeway Traffic ◽  
Traffic Demand ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Train Duration ◽  
Railroad Crossings ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Message Signs

At-grade highway–railroad crossings cause traffic control problems that have a bearing not only on traffic safety but also on traffic flow efficiency. Crossings located near freeway exits pose particularly acute problems, as long closures could result in vehicle queues that spill back onto freeway lanes. A potential solution to this problem was evaluated by investigating the use of variable message signs to divert exiting freeway traffic through non-congested alternate exits. This was done using the crossing near the Fredericksburg Road exit on Interstate 10 (I–10) in San Antonio, Texas, as a case study. In the evaluation, microscopic simulation was used to determine the impacts of train operations at the crossing and the potential benefits of a variable-message sign (VMS) system installed on I–10. These effects were gauged by considering scenarios with varying levels of train duration, traffic demand on the freeway exit, and driver compliance to the displayed messages. While little network improvements were obtained, the analysis demonstrates the capability of the INTEGRATION software in analyzing such scenarios and the extent to which exiting freeway traffic may benefit from the VMS system, as well as the need to consider fuel consumption and vehicles emissions in the evaluations.

Microsimulation Analysis of Highway-Rail Grade Crossings: A Case Study in Lincoln, Nebraska

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence R. Rilett ◽  
Justice Appiah
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategy ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Microscopic Traffic Simulation ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Driver Response ◽  
Grade Crossing ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
Message Signs ◽  
Different Levels

This paper examines the usefulness of supplementing railroad preemption operations at highway-rail grade crossings with variable message signs. Using the microscopic traffic simulation model, VISSIM, the effects on grade crossing operations of different train dwell times as well as different levels of driver response to a variable message sign in the vicinity of the crossing are assessed. The results affirm the potential usefulness of variable message signs for preventing lengthy queues and illustrate the importance of explicitly considering the delay experienced by vehicles on the blocked roadway in developing a traffic control strategy for highway-rail grade crossings.

scholarly journals Analysis of Parking Reliability Guidance of Urban Parking Variable Message Sign System

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenyu Mei ◽  
Ye Tian ◽  
Dongping Li
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Choice Behavior ◽  
Central City ◽  
Reliability Model ◽  
Variable Message Signs ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Car Park ◽  
Quantitative Changes ◽  
Message Signs ◽  
Urban Parking

Operators of parking guidance and information systems (PGIS) often encounter difficulty in determining when and how to provide reliable car park availability information to drivers. Reliability has become a key factor to ensure the benefits of urban PGIS. The present paper is the first to define the guiding parking reliability of urban parking variable message signs (VMSs). By analyzing the parking choice under guiding and optional parking lots, a guiding parking reliability model was constructed. A mathematical program was formulated to determine the guiding parking reliability of VMS. The procedures were applied to a numerical example, and the factors that affect guiding reliability were analyzed. The quantitative changes of the parking berths and the display conditions of VMS were found to be the most important factors influencing guiding reliability. The parking guiding VMS achieved the best benefit when the parking supply was close to or was less than the demand. The combination of a guiding parking reliability model and parking choice behavior offers potential for PGIS operators to reduce traffic congestion in central city areas.

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