Texas Driver Understanding of Abbreviations for Dynamic Message Signs

This report presents recommendations to improve the design of messages for dynamic message signs (DMSs). Specifically, it presents recommendations for effective abbreviations that can be used when the required DMS message exceeds the space available on a sign. Abbreviations are especially useful in portable DMSs which have a space limitation of eight characters per line. The recommendations are made based on the results of human factors studies that were conducted in the following six TxDOT districts: Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.