• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Logo

Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse

Library of Resources to Improve Roadway Work Zone Safety for All Roadway Users

  • About
  • Join Listserv
  • Contact
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Work Zone Data
    • At a Glance
    • National & State Traffic Data
    • Work Zone Traffic Crash Trends and Statistics
    • Worker Fatalities and Injuries at Road Construction Sites
  • Topics of Interest
    • Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety
    • Smart Work Zones
    • Transportation Management Plans
    • Accommodating Pedestrians
    • Worker Safety and Welfare
    • Project Coordination in Work Zones
  • Training
    • Flagger
    • Online Courses
    • Toolboxes
    • FHWA Safety Grant Products
    • Certification and
      Accreditation
  • Work Zone Devices
  • Laws, Standards & Policies
    • COVID-19 Guidance
  • Public Awareness
  • Events
  • About
  • Listserv
  • Contact
  • Search
Publication

Assessing the Message Design on Variable Message Signs in Mitigating the Bottleneck Issue at Work Zones

Author/Presenter: Messina, Justin; Song, Miao; Ortiz-Varela, Josue Diego; Wang, Jyh-Hone
Abstract:

In this study, drivers’ preferences of and responses to text and graphic road sign messages at work zones were analyzed in an attempt to reduce the bottleneck conditions at lane-reduced work zones. Advisory messages associated with three driving advisory conditions (DACs), “Merge to the Right Lane,” “Zip Merge” (vehicles take turns), and “Continue Travel Normally,” were assessed through a questionnaire survey and driving simulation to seek the best messages in advising drivers in different traffic conditions when approaching work zones.

A questionnaire survey was first deployed to identify participants’ preferences towards a series of messages posted on variable message signs (VMSs). Participants rated each message from one to five as to their effectiveness in advising drivers in different conditions. Between the highest rated text and graphic messages under each DAC, participants gave their preferences toward either text or graphic messages. A total of 81 subjects participated in the survey. Survey results indicated that text messages were strongly preferred over graphic messages in all DACs.

The effectiveness of several top rated messages identified in the survey was further assessed through a driving simulation. Various text and graphic messages were posted on portable VMSs along a straight freeway in a fix-based driving simulator. Subjects were asked to verbally respond with a number when they identified a message, denoting the DAC associated with that message. It was found that graphic messages were most effective in all three DACs in terms of response time and accuracy. Recommendations for messages in each DAC were made.

Source: Presented at the 91st Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, January 2012, Washington, D.C.
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Publication Date: 2012
Full Text URL: Link to URL
Publication Types: Books, Reports, Papers, and Research Articles
Topics: Changeable Message Signs; Temporary Traffic Control

Copyright © 2023 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse is a project of the ARTBA Transportation Development Foundation. It is operated in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and Texas A&M Transportation Institute. | Copyright Statement · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer
American Road and Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation, American Road and Transportation Builders Association U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Texas A&M Transportation Institute