TRA-941: EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS IN IMPROVING THE ROAD NETWORK THROUGH ROUTE GUIDANCE

Variable Message Signs (VMS) are a means of providing valuable information to roadway users and enhancing the performance of the road network. The main objective of this research was to analyze the effectiveness of the use of VMS in improving the efficiency of the road network. This was implemented through a number of case studies under different conditions and different designs of the VMS. As this is a unique traffic guidance method to Egypt, the different factors that may affect the effectiveness of the sign to divert drivers was studied to fully understand the benefits of implementing VMS in Egypt. Traffic data was collected from five sites which are located in Giza Governorate, Egypt. At each location, the driver had the choice of two alternative routes leading to the same destination. The VMS informed the drivers that one of these routes was congested and to use an alternative route. Three different sign types were applied to identify the most effective type of VMS on drivers in Egypt. The most effective sign type was identified during the pilot study and used in the remaining sites. For each site, Traffic counts for each route was recorded for twenty minutes without the VMS and twenty minutes with the VMS applied to obtain the diversion rate of drivers Average travel times for 30 vehicles and queue lengths were also recorded before and after the application of the VMS and Queue lengths were also recorded before and after applying the VMS