Rerouting on Multi-Lane Highways: The Effect of Message Signs on Driving Behavior

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a sequenced triple (i.e., announcement, instruction, marker) sign configuration for advanced guidance in a work zone related rerouting scenario on longitudinal and lateral driver control. The longitudinal distance of only the second (instruction) sign varied (i.e., 500m vs. 1000m vs. 1500m before the target exit) whereas it was held constant for the first (announcement) sign (i.e., 2000m before the exit) and the third (marker) sign (i.e., 50m before the exit). It was expected that the second sign would affect driver’s longitudinal and lateral vehicle control and that the effect would be dependent on the sign’s longitudinal location. 30 subjects completed a 14km test-drive on a driving simulator with three exits to be taken. Following our expectations, the second sign had an effect on longitudinal (i.e., mean speed and SD for acceleration/deceleration) as well as lateral (i.e., number of lane switches to the right) driver behavior. Furthermore, this effect depended on the longitudinal location of the second (instruction) sign. From a comparison of the three locations it was concluded that placing the second sign at 1000 meters from the exit was the most preferable option in terms of traffic safety and flow. Finally, reported effects were not affected by age, gender or driving experience.