Evaluation of Road Weather Messages on Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) Based on Roadside Pavement Sensors

Nearly 300 dynamic message signs (DMS) are deployed across the state and are used for displaying real-time information to warn motorists of incidents, roadwork or congestion downstream. When it comes to weather-related messages, MnDOT has limited DMS usage to blizzard warnings or unexpected/isolated conditions that make catch a motorist by surprise. A current research project is working to integrate National Weather Service Warnings into MnDOT's IRIS software which is used to deploy messages on DMS throughout the state. That project will help MnDOT staff deploy blizzard warnings more efficiently than we currently do manually. Separate from that project, the RTMC is looking at deploying a system on Hwy 12 that would display weather-related messages on DMS for unexpected/isolated conditions based on roadside pavement sensors. This research project would evaluate the effectiveness of the system being deployed on Hwy 12 in changing driving behavior by measuring any reduction in speed or increase in following distance of vehicles after viewing the message.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • MP-20(005)

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $75,270.00
• Contract Numbers:

  1036216

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Minnesota Department of Transportation

  395 John Ireland Boulevard
  St Paul, MN  United States  55155
• Performing Organizations:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Institute for Transportation
  2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, Iowa  United States  50010-8664
• Principal Investigators:

  Knickerbocker, Skylar

• Start Date: 20200515
• Expected Completion Date: 20211130
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driver monitoring; Road weather information systems; Sensors; Variable message signs
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; SAFETY: SAFETY;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01727574
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 1036216
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 14 2020 10:10AM