Investigation of Information Quality and User Response to Real-Time Traffic Information Under Heterogeneous Traffic Conditions

Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) are extensively employed to tackle the increasing traffic congestion problems. The success of ATIS depends on their ability to influence the user responses in the desired direction. Due to the limited implementations in India and lack of systematic and rigorous studies on user response to real-time traffic information from ATIS, the impact of ATIS in mixed traffic are not well understood. This study aims to bridge some of these gaps. The objectives of this study are: (1) to investigate the user response to ATIS under heterogeneous traffic conditions, and (2) to evaluate the quality of information provided through different ATIS. The study focuses on the impacts of a prototypical ATIS project which provides dynamic traffic information on a study corridor in Chennai. The information is provided to the user through a web portal and Variable Message Sign boards (VMS) at six locations on the study corridor. While the VMS provides travel time information on alternate routes, the web-based information includes travel times and alternate routes, congestion maps, speed and delay maps, and live traffic images. A survey of users’ actual response to traveler information revealed that the users’ experience and attitude towards ATIS are favorable and positive. Users perceived the information as accurate and majority were satisfied with the information provided. The findings from this study establishes the necessity of an ATIS evaluation scheme specific to heterogeneous traffic conditions.