Influence of Different Traffic Information on Drivers’ Dynamic Route Choice Behavior in Urban Road Network Level

Abstract:

In order to guide traffic in road network level, to equilibrate traffic distribution and improve traffic efficiency in a macroscopic level, the paper presents a study of the drivers’ dynamic route choice according to the varying traffic information provided by variable message signs(VMS) of advanced traveler information system(ATIS) in a typical urban road network. For a VMS with only literal information set on surface street, and a VMS with both literal and graphic information set on urban freeway, State Preference(SP) survey is carried out to investigate traffic behavior data, which are then analyzed by disaggregate choice behavior method. A dynamic route choice behavior model is founded, which is suited for situations when travel time, traffic conditions, and information of traffic incidents of different routes are known. Results show that the veracity and integrality, and the personal characteristics of drivers are main factors to impact the route choice behavior. The study provides a basis for founding ATIS and setting optimal strategies of information promulgation.

Key words:road network; variable message signs; state preference; advanced traveler information system; route choice behavior