Development of Guidelines for Messages in Dynamic Messaging Signs to Improve Safety, Compliance, and Avoid Distraction

Dynamic message signs have been used for decades to inform drivers about roadway, traffic, or weather conditions. Most of the messages used in the past were standard and impersonal reminders. Recently, transportation agencies across the country, including Illinois Department of Transportation, started to use non-traditional messages (rhyming, serious, funny, cultural) for display on these dynamic signs. The purpose of this project is to help IDOT determine: (1) if non-standard messages cause a change in driver behavior and reduce crash frequency in the area of the signage inside Illinois, (2) if the messages increase engagement of the motoring public with safer driving practices, and (3) if the messages have a lasting impact (does the message stick) on drivers who see the messages. This project will include both a synthesis of current applicable research and surveying of Illinois drivers. The literature research will summarize the most current and methodologically sound practice that may be suitable for Illinois. The driver surveys (possibly with some targeted demographic groups, such as males 18-25) will directly quantify the effect and impact of these messages on Illinois drivers.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $36000
• Contract Numbers:

  R27-SP55

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Illinois Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Materials and Physical Research
  126 East Ash Street
  Springfield, IL  United States  62704-4766
• Managing Organizations:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Illinois Center for Transportation
  1611 Titan Drive
  Rantoul, IL  United States  61866
• Principal Investigators:

  Ouyang, Yanfeng

• Start Date: 20230601
• Expected Completion Date: 20240229
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Crash rates; Drivers; Messages (Communications); Surveys; Variable message signs
• Geographic Terms: Illinois
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01884369
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Illinois Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: R27-SP55
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 1 2023 9:13AM