Citation

Benson B. Transp. Res. Rec. 1996; 1550: 48-57.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.3141/1550-07

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Attitudes regarding the content of messages on variable-message signs (VMSs) are explored. Seven focus groups and a survey of more than 500 motorists in the Washington, D.C., area were carried out. Key findings are as follows. Motorists are evenly divided between those who regularly rely on VMSs and those who do not. Demographic variables have little influence on motorist attitudes about VMSs, except for a few cases involving level of education. Respondents are well disposed to VMS messages that are simple, reliable, and useful. Thus, noting the exact location of accidents, time-tagging traffic information, and posting antirubbernecking messages received high levels of support. Proposals failing in any of these regards were met with less interest, including delay time estimates, safety messages, and posting of alternative routes.

Language: en