Graphical Changeable Message Signs: Strategies, Impacts, and Best Practices
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is exploring the potential of graphical changeable message signs (CMS) to improve driver comprehension and response to roadway information. While traditional CMS rely on text-only messages, advances in display technology now allow the inclusion of graphic symbols and photographic elements. However, limited research exists on how Virginia drivers interpret these graphical formats and whether they offer measurable benefits over standard text-based messages. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of graphical CMS designs in supporting driver comprehension and safe decision-making through a combination of carefully designed surveys and driving simulator experiments. An early focus of the project will be the evaluation of CMS messages developed for the Targeted Over-Height Vehicle Warning CMS system at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT), which includes the novel feature of displaying photo of the detected over-height vehicles. This effort supports VDOT’s Request to Experiment submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The study will use interstate incident management as its primary case study. Results will provide VDOT with actionable guidance on the design and deployment of graphical CMS, support potential updates to statewide messaging policies, and inform future pilot projects or experimentation initiatives.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $374,962.00
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Contract Numbers:
127691
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Sponsor Organizations:
Virginia Transportation Research Council
530 Edgemont Road
Charlottesville, VA United States 22903 -
Managing Organizations:
Virginia Transportation Research Council
530 Edgemont Road
Charlottesville, VA United States 22903 -
Project Managers:
Lan, Chien-Lun
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Performing Organizations:
Virginia Transportation Research Council
530 Edgemont Road
Charlottesville, VA United States 22903 School of Engineering
CEIE Dept., MSN-6C1
Faifax, VA United States 22030 -
Principal Investigators:
Lan, Chien-Lun
Lee, Yi-Ching
- Start Date: 20250604
- Expected Completion Date: 20270731
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Best practices; Comprehension; Drivers; Driving simulators; Graphics; Surveys; Variable message signs
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01957625
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Virginia Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 127691
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Jun 10 2025 9:49AM