Effectiveness of Different Approaches to Disseminating Traveler Information on Travel Time Reliability

Abstract

The second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) Reliability program aims to improve\ntrip time reliability by reducing the frequency and effects of events that cause travel times to\nfluctuate unpredictably. Congestion caused by unreliable, or nonrecurring, events is roughly as\nextensive as congestion caused by routine bottlenecks (Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 2003).\nNonrecurring events such as crashes, work zones, special events, and weather disrupt normal\ntraffic flow by causing reduced speeds, lane closures, and erratic driving maneuvers. The goals\nof the SHRP 2 Reliability program focus on travel time variation—the characteristic of the\ntransportation system that can cause the driver’s current trip to take much longer than normally\nexpected. For example, a driver must allow an hour to make a trip that normally takes\n30 minutes. This transportation system characteristic is important for travelers and shippers\nand is a component of the congestion problem in which transportation agencies can make\nsignificant and measurable gains even as travel demand grows. Reducing delays related to reliability\nhas the added benefit of reducing primary and secondary crashes, vehicle emissions, and\nfuel use, as well as other benefits.\nTravel time reliability information includes cumulative data about traffic speeds and trip times\nthat take into account historical variations from day to day and enable individuals to understand\nthe level of variation in traffic. Unlike real-time travel time information, which provides a current\nsnapshot of trip conditions and travel time, reliability information can be used to plan and\nbudget in advance for a trip.\nA key component in addressing the reliability issue related to urban mobility is conveying\nreliability-related information to system users so they can make informed decisions about their\ntravel. The challenge for transportation professionals lies in selecting the best means of conveying\nthat information so it is usable and effective. The goal of this research project was to examine\nwhat combination of words, numbers, and other features of user information messages, along\nwith communications methods and technology platforms, best communicates information\nabout travel time and reliability to travelers so that they can make optimal travel choices from\ntheir own point of view. Such choices include whether to take a trip, departure time, mode\nchoice, and route choice.\nThe datasets that support this report can be accessed via the following URL: https://ntlsearch.bts.gov/tris/record/ntl/61973.html\n

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