Travel Times on Dynamic Message Signs Jimmy Chu

Travel Times on Dynamic Message Signs Jimmy Chu Office of Transportation Management 7/15/2008 1

Dynamic Message Signs n n Valuable pieces of “real estate” Nationwide -4081 Ø Urban-3300, Rural-781 2

A Resource Underutilized n Non-Incident/Non Roadwork Periods Ø Signs are often blank or Ø Provide vague information 3

FHWA Recommended Practice for DMS n n n Travel Time Messages Should Be the Goal as the Default Information Provided to Motorists “Blank” DMS are Transportation Investments that are Not Being Fully Utilized No New DMS Should be Installed in Major Metropolitan Areas or Heavily Traveled Corridors Unless the Capability to Display Travel Times Exists 4

Survey Results n Percent of TMCs that Display Travel Time by Time of Day Ø Ø Ø 23% Both in Peak and Off-Peak Period 7% in Peak Period 70% does not Display 5

Survey Results n Relative Number of DMS on Which Travel Time Messages are Displayed 6

Survey Results n Reported Public Response to Travel Time Messages 7

Travel Times on DMS Status Total combined, as of June 25, 2008 = Provide Travel Times (41) = Plans to Provide Travel Times (16) = “Top 40” Metro Area w/ T T(29 / 40) = “Top 40” No Plans in Near Future (5) D. C. 8

Travel Times on DMS One of the DOT’S Congestion Initiatives n Ø Ø Implement Travel Times on DMS in Top 40 Metro Areas Provide Technical Support for Travel Times Deployment 9

TMC Pooled Fund Study Members n 7 Opportunity States DE, IN, NC, PA, RI, TX, VA 10

How can We Help? n n Provide Technical Assistance Workshop Domestic Scan Peer to Peer 11

How can We Help? n Information on Operation Website http: //ops. fhwa. dot. gov/travelinfo/index. htm n Contact ITS Engineers in FHWA Division Office 12

Jimmy. Chu@dot. gov 202 366 -3379 13