Abstract
A reasonable response to increasing traffic congestion may come from the rapidly developing traveler information systems. Such systems may be successful if they effectively influence drivers' enroute decisions; in this regard, a critical factor may be commuters' willingness to divert from their regular route in response to information about traffic congestion. This study evaluates the effects of real-time traffic information along with driver attributes, roadway characteristics and situational factors on drivers' willingness to divert. The empirical portion of this study is based on a survey of downtown Chicago automobile commuters. The stated preference approach was used to study commuters' diversion propensity. Drivers expressed a higher willingness to divert if expected delays on their usual route increased, if the congestion was incident-induced as opposed to recurring, if delay information was received from radio traffic reports compared with observing congestion, and if trip direction was home-to-work rather than work-to-home. Respondents were less willing to divert if their alternate route was unfamiliar, unsafe or had several traffic stops. Socioeconomic characteristics were also significant in predicting willingness to divert.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-127 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Transportation |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 1993 |
Keywords
- route choice
- stated preferences
- travel behavior
- traveler information systems
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Development
- Transportation