Effects of urban road variable message signs on driving behavior

Abstract

To investigate the effects of variable message signs on driving behaviors in urban areas, a logistic model of driving behaviors influenced by variable message signs has been established based on a questionnaire survey. Simultaneously, real-world traffic data were collected by video cameras. Then, T-test was employed to analyze the influence of variable message signs on driving behaviors in urban roads. Results show that age, driving age, familiarity of road network, and the degree of attention to variable message signs were the main factors that affected driving behaviors. Specifically, drivers at the age ranging from 36 to 55 years, and drivers with a driving age ranging from 6 to 10 years prefer to reduce speed to read the information on variable message signs. Those drivers who are not familiar with the road network usually reduced speed to read the information displayed on variable message signs. Drivers who occasionally pay attention to variable message signs prefer to reduce speed to read the information on variable message signs. Both the logistic model and the T-test results indicate that variable message signs have a significant effect on driving behaviors in urban areas. Therefore, variable message signs need to be designed concise and easy to recognize so that they can improve the efficiency of road network.