摘要: |
Effects of Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) information on driver en-route decision making were explored through the use of a real-time trip simulator which used computer-controlled video sequences of actual traffic scenes to preserve important real-world cues, and provided a range of ATIS display capabilities (navigation displays, route guidance, traffic and hazard warnings, etc.) using a touch-screen panel to enable en-route navigation decisions to be studied under realistic settings. Seventy-two locally familiar drivers, ranging in age from 18 to 86 years of age, took part in the study. The sample was equally divided between males and females. A network of freeways and surface streets were simulated and available to drivers to navigate to their destination. These trips were fully under the control of the driver in terms of route selection and were experienced in real-time under realistic time pressures. Two levels of ATIS were defined, Basic and Enhanced ATIS. Basic ATIS provided drivers with notification of incidents and congestion through the use of in-vehicle Variable Message Signs and included details about the type of incident, its location and qualitative estimates of delay (e.g., moderate delays). Enhanced ATIS provided the same in-vehicle VMS incident notification as Basic ATIS plus access to a variety of supplemental information, including: alternate route information incident details, real time traffic maps with segment travel times and system wide incident/congestion, and live traffic camera views of incidents and road segments. Drivers were randomly assigned to one of these two ATIS conditions or a comparison group that received no in- vehicle VMS notification or supplemental information. Drivers in each of the three groups were also exposed to either light or moderately heavy traffic volumes during their trip in order to examine the extent to which direct visual observation of actual traffic conditions influenced route navigation and diversion decisions. |