TravTek evaluation Orlando test network study

1996Final Report; Nov. 1991, Sept. 1995Frank Mammano, HSR-12PDFTech ReportFHWA-RD-95-162DTFH61-91 C-001 06Advanced driver information systemsAdvanced traffic management systemsTraffic control centersRoute guidanceDriversPerceptionPerformanceEVALUATION/PROGRAM ASSESSMENTOPERATIONAL TESTSINTELLIGENT VEHICLE INITIATIVE OR IVITravTekATISATMSIVHSITSReal-Time Traffic InformationRoute GuidanceRoute PlanningFloridaUnited States. Joint Program Office for Intelligent Transportation SystemsInman, V.Sanchez, R.Bernstein, L.Porter, C.United States. Federal Highway AdministrationScience Applications International CorporationNTL-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMSNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsIntelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office;Federal Highway AdministrationThe Orlando Test Network Study was one of a series of investigations conducted as part of the TravTek operational test of anadvanced traveler information and traffic management system (ATIS/ATMS). The TravTek system consisted of the OrlandoTraffic Management Center (TMC), the TravTek vehicles, and the TravTek Information and Services Center. The TMCbroadcast updated travel times for TravTek traffic links to the TravTek vehicles once each minute. The TravTek vehiclesbroadcast their link travel times back to the TMC for transmission to the other TravTek vehicles. The vehicles were equippedto provide route planning, route guidance, and a data base of local services and attractions. The primary purpose of this studywas to evaluate the effects of alternative driver interfaces on driver performance, navigation performance, driver perception,driver preference, and willingness-to-pay.A controlled experiment was conducted in which up to six TravTek vehicles traveled the same origin to destination (O/D)pairings to evaluate six alternative information presentation configurations: five TravTek alternatives and a control configuration.Three visual display conditions were tested: a moving map display, a symbolic guidance display, and a condition with novisual display. Two aural conditions were tested in combination with the three visual conditions: synthesized voice guidanceand no voice guidance. The six information presentation configurations were evaluated both in the day and at night. Five ofsix combinations utilized the TravTek and one configuration (no visual display and no voice guidance) was considered theControl condition. The drivers in the Control condition had to plan and navigate to their destination as \u201cthey normally would\u201dwithout the use of automated route planning and route guidance. Data from 3 18 drivers are presented.TravTek benefits to individual drivers included travel time savings and a reduction in perceived workload. Both the movingmap and simplified turn-by-turn visual displays were very effective compared to the Control condition, particularly when thevisual displays were supplemented with synthesized voice guidance. User perception and performance data suggest that thesystem was easy to learn and easy to use. Participants in this study indicated that they would be willing to pay about $1000 fora system such as the one they drove