Real-Time Traveler Information Systems (2009) / Chapter Skim
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NCHRP NATIONAL COOPERATIVE HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM SYNTHESIS 399 Real-Time Traveler Information Systems A Synthesis of Highway Practice
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HORSLEY, Executive Director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, DC ROSE A MCMURRY, Acting Deputy Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S.DOT RONALD MEDFORD, Acting Deputy Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S.DOT WILLIAM W
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NATIONAL COOPERATIVE HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM NCHRP Synthesis 399 Real-Time Traveler Information Systems A Synthesis of Highway Practice Consultant DEAN DEETER Athey Creek Consultants West Linn, Oregon S ubject A reas Highway Operation, Capacity, and Traffic Control, and Safety and Human Performance Research Sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in Cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD WASHINGTON, D.C.
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© 2009 Transportation Research Board In recognition of these needs, the highway administrators of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials initiated in 1962 an objective national highway research program COPYRIGHT PERMISSION employing modern scientific techniques. This program is supported Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their manuscripts on a continuing basis by funds from participating member states of and for obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who the Association and it receives the full cooperation and support of own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material the Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of used herein.
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The mission of the Transportation Research Board is to provide leadership in transportation innovation and progress through research and information exchange, conducted within a setting that is objective, interdisciplinary, and multimodal. The Board's varied activities annually engage about 7,000 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest.
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NCHRP COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT 20-5 COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMS STAFF CHRISTOPHER W JENKS, Director, Cooperative Research Programs CHAIR CRAWFORD F
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By Donna Vlasak Emphasis is placed on the needs and expectations of travelers, the current status of a variety of traveler information systems in the United States, available and emerging data sources, Senior Program Officer and business models for sustaining traveler information. This synthesis will benefit state Transportation DOT transportation managers and others that provide or seek to provide affordable, accu Research Board rate, timely, and effective information in a format that travelers can use.
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Contents 1 SUMMARY 4 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Project Background and Objectives, 4 Study Methodology, 4 Organization of Synthesis, 5 6 CHAPTER TWO THE HISTORY OF TRAVELER INFORMATION Early Real-Time Traveler Information Approaches, 6 The Internet's Impact on Traveler Information, 6 The Impact of 511 on Traveler Information, 7 8 CHAPTER THREE TRAVELER INFORMATION -- NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF TRAVELERS Traveler Information Needs, 8 Expectations of Travelers, 10 Special Considerations for Travelers, 12 Summary of Challenges Facing Accessibility to Traveler Information, 13 17 CHAPTER FOUR CURRENT STATUS OF TRAVELER INFORMATION Summary of the Current Status of Traveler Information, 17 Summary of Traveler Information Use, 18 511 Telephone Traveler Information Systems, 18 Public-Operated Traveler Information Websites, 24 Emerging Technologies and Devices, 32 34 CHAPTER FIVE AVAILABLE AND EMERGING DATA SOURCES Current Use of Data Sources and Additional Data Needs, 34 Summary of Current and Future Weather Data Sources, 35 Traffic Data Availability, 36 Event and Incident Data Availability, 37 40 CHAPTER SIX STRATEGIES AND BUSINESS MODELS FOR INFORMATION DELIVERY Challenges Facing Public-Operated Traveler Information Systems, 40 Examples of Cost-Sharing Business Models, 43 Synthesis of Real-Time Traveler Information Delivery Business Model Best Practices, 45 46 CHAPTER SEVEN CONCLUSIONS Summary of Challenges, 46 Suggestions for Future Research, 46 49 REFERENCES 50 APPENDIX A SURVEY FORM 62 APPENDIX Bagencies responding to survey
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Real-time traveler information systems, operated by either public or private sector service providers, have proven to be effective at informing travelers about the circumstances affecting their trips and empowering travelers to reach informed decisions. A variety of traveler information systems exist, including telephone support phone num bers, Internet dissemination sites, in-vehicle or handheld devices able to receive notices and alerts, and field devices informing travelers while en route.
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The second suggestion is that a nationwide effort be considered to achieve consistency in the use of icons on traveler information system websites. The results of this projects' observations and surveys showed that there is little consistency in the use of icons and nomenclature of event descriptions among traveler information websites.
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The sixth suggestion is to research the apparent "gap" between the availability and use of weather information. Although a great deal of weather information is offered by traveler information systems, the weather reports often are general and do not represent the highly detailed and accurate capabilities of the weather forecasting industries.
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about content in the online survey, and allowed them to cre ate map displays in this document to describe the various The first major activity in this synthesis project was the types of content offered nationwide. Although efforts were creation, execution, and analysis of an online survey of pub- taken to accurately observe traveler information systems and lic agencies operating traveler information systems.
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The primary · Bill Legg, State ITS Operations Engineer, Washington emphasis is on 511 phone systems and traveler information State Department of Transportation (DOT) websites; however, field devices, in-vehicle devices, and per · Ryan Peterson, founder and CEO of TrafficGauge, a sonal mobile devices are also referenced.
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of radio broadcasts emerged it would be viewed by many travelers. as an effective mechanism to reach in-vehicle receivers with · It allowed private sector information service providers real-time information for display on in-vehicle devices.
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. 5 years to determine whether a national traveler information service was achievable, it began the second largest para- The combination of the designation of a three-digit digm shift in the traveler information industry.
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Traveler Information Needs · Time management -- for example, changing a depar ture time to avoid or accommodate delays or inclement weather A large number of formal and informal studies have assessed · Trip modifications -- changing the route of travel, the travelers' needs for pre-trip and en route traveler informa- destination, or the mode of travel based on conditions tion over the past 15 years. Travelers need quick, simple, safe or situations access to accurate, timely, reliable, route-specific informa
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Therefore, commuters need traveler dent traveler information websites, this increases the effort information systems to provide them with the information and time required to obtain the useful information. Many 511 required to make these decisions, either pre-trip or en route.
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Transit riders and travelers who are seeking information to support their choice of mode, have a separate set of needs In summary, traveler information needs of rural travelers for traveler information. These needs include various types are summarized as follows: of static information (such as bus schedule information, fare information, security information, safety information, · Information about current and short-term future accessibility information, and overall summaries of services weather and road conditions and information about offered)
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FIGURE 3 Assessment of how well current traveler information websites meet expectations on a scale of 1 to 10.
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12 delivery methods. Users have requested additional infor Special Considerations For Travelers mation delivery methods, such as text messaging or push systems, and have cited examples of such technologies as Travelers seeking information about their trip may have spevoice recognition performing poorly.
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· Language barriers (e.g., not speaking or reading the English language) can prevent travelers from success- A number of solutions are possible to achieve accessibil fully accessing written or audible traveler information ity in traveler information websites: presentations.
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ant with Section 508 (and were provided a brief explana Some traveler information websites avoid color (or tion of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973)
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Feedback from Users Regarding Accessibility Guidelines for Accessibility of Traveler Information Systems Responders to the survey were asked to describe any feedback they have received regarding the accessibility of their Research conducted at Oregon State University (OSU) 511 phone and Internet dissemination systems.
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World Wide Web pages. FIGURE 9 Feedback on accessibilty of traveler information system from individuals with disabilities.
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reports, crash notifications, and views of camera images along heavily traveled highways. Common ele ments of traveler information websites delivering rural Summary Of The Current Status Of Traveler information include weather, driving conditions, and Information roadwork, incident, or closure reports.
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The 511 call volume statistics suggests that 511 some perspective of the ratio of 511 phone use compared with plays a role in traveler information and that this role cannot traveler information websites use, statistics were tracked by solely be evaluated based on call volume statistics. Instead, Oregon DOT (ODOT)
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19 FIGURE 10 Oregon DOT 511 phone and website use statistics (20042007)
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The San Francisco system offers Based on the 12-month call volumes shown in Figure 12, a combination of real-time traffic and event informaseveral observations appear as follows: tion as well as detailed transit information. The major ity of phone requests are for traffic information and the · The 511 systems disseminating content needed on a daily majority of website requests are for transit informa basis receive the highest call volumes.
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This pattern of call volumes has received a total of 62 million calls, with recent aver- is best summarized by the statement that while the data assem ages near 575,000 calls per month. The MassHighways bly and information creation is constant, the demand for real system uses several sources for traffic information and time traveler information is event (or crisis)
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may call from his home phone, work phone, or cell phone, and therefore the use of caller ID may underestimate repeat Based on a review of the content of operational 511 phone calls. Repeat caller use of the 511 system indicates satisfac- systems, the content of 511 systems typically fits into one of tion and regular use of the system, rather than spontane- the following categories (this categorization of content does ously experimenting with the system.
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can be accessed when the user dials 511 to receive real time traffic information. Although construction and maintenance activities are offered on every 511 system, only a few 511 phone systems Outside of these and a few other example systems, little tested appeared to have detailed construction and main- information has been disseminated on 511 phone systems tenance activities with daily impacts reported (e.g., most about the current traffic flow situation.
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This synthesis project reviewed existing traveler infor mation websites to identify the level at which the country is Summary of Traveler Information Website Content covered by weather and driving condition reports. Figure 16 illustrates those states currently reporting general weather Traveler information websites disseminate a variety of types reports (typically reported as countywide conditions)
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Figure 17 illustrates those states where Traveler information website displays of multimodal options public-operated traveler information websites currently opertypically present transit route and schedule information, ate zoom-able maps, fixed maps (statewide only) , and a set of offer transit trip planners, and present real-time information predefined maps offering different views of the state.
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Although traveler information websites typically include a legend describing the icons and therefore visitors to the site Figure 18 illustrates an example of the issues surrounding are able to understand the images, consistency among icons icon consistency. In addition to the inconsistent use of icons (and therefore the nomenclature of descriptions)
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of Americans have access to high-speed Internet in the recorded by the WSDOT website during the January 2731, home, travelers frequently have the opportunity to quickly 2008, winter storm. WSDOT does not include camera views sit at a computer and view Internet sites before departing as part of its current traveler information website tracking.
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28 FIGURE 18 Summary of various icons used to report roadwork and construction. FIGURE 19 WSDOT traveler information website daily visits during January 2008 storm.
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Ideas for Traveler Information Website Improvements Benefits and Drawbacks of Field Devices As part of this synthesis project, public agencies operating Several benefits of field devices are identified as follows: traveler information Internet websites were asked what they are doing (or could do) to improve them.
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effective traveler information dissemination devices if pub High-density metropolitan areas with consider- licprivate partnerships are formed. able tourism traffic or unfamiliar drivers (e.g., the Anaheim, California, area has operated arterial DMS According to the Outdoor Advertising Association of for approximately 20 years because of the large traf- America, digital billboards account for approximately 700 fic volumes in and around the Disneyland areas)
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Since the introduction of the ITS industry, private sec- TrafficLand.com tor information service providers have explored business models for traveler information dissemination. The most TrafficLand.com provides live video from thousands of camcommon revenue sources explored have been advertising eras worldwide from partnering with local, state, and federal revenues and subscription fees.
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. an example, the use of e-mail and text-messaging delivery allows traveler information systems to reach many travelers Digital Cellular Phones as an Enabler using inexpensive devices (saving considerable costs when compared with the costs of long-distance minutes on a land A second technology advancement that has been responsible line phone system)
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Devices with web browsers prolargest impact of navigation systems on the traveler infor- vide users with the capability of viewing real-time traveler mation industry centers on the integration with real-time information websites. Washington State, Oregon, and Idaho traffic reports.
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available (13 of 27 responders) Current Sources for Traveler Information Comments from Survey Responders on Additional Data Source Needs In this study's survey of public agencies operating traveler information systems, responders were asked to describe Survey responders were asked to comment on additional their sources for traveler information data: data sources they wish they had: · Twenty-four of 26 agencies indicated that data sources · Responder from Mississippi indicated an interest in law are primarily owned and operated by the DOT (e.g., enforcement and emergency services (field information)
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trolled source of weather data throughout the United States. · Responders from California also indicated they may be pursuing outside sources for cellular phone and GPS Detailed route-specific weather and pavement condition roadway traffic data to augment performance monitor- models have been developed and are offered to public agen ing and therefore improve traveler information.
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A number of state agencies are either testing or using pri · Based on the costs of maintenance, existing loop detec- vate sector traffic data sources, and over the next few years, tors may be left inoperable if broken and state DOTs evaluation reports will summarize the accuracy, costs, and are increasingly less likely to install as dense a network ultimately business models of public agencies that purchase of loop detectors as they have in the past. data from private providers.
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Travelers want details about complement current traffic reports and to give travelers an daily activities, and condition reporting systems allow the understanding of the cause and expected duration of traffic entry of this information; however, operators who perform slowdowns. The sources for event and incident data are typi- the entry often do not know the daily plans for specific clocally from one of two categories: sures.
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in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Washington State. Automated Exchanges of Construction Data Another successful example of automated data exchanges Another example of possible automated data exchanges is is a relationship established with the OnStar services.
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Responders to this project's survey were asked to describe any automated data sources for crash and incident data. The Coordinating Information from Several Sources comments received are summarized as follows: As described in this chapter, traveler information systems 1.
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; and face operating a traveler information system, together with a · Another responder noted a shortage of in-house staff as summary of business plan approaches. required to continue to add components to the system.
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site; however, this requires multiple systems and forces travelers to select an approach. Budget Challenges Facing Traveler Information Service Providers Reliability Challenges Facing Traveler Information Service Providers Defining the budget and costs to operate a traveler informa tion delivery system can be interpreted many different ways.
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challenges remain in the sophisticated technologies used FIGURE 23 Summary of annual operations budget for traveler information delivery (Sample size = 22)
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Agencies The maintenance and upkeep of traveler information sys- Examples Of Cost-Sharing Business Models tems is another challenge facing information providers. Maintenance of traveler information systems can be catego- This study has identified several examples of business modrized as follows: els that either are being attempted or are successfully in operation.
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The benefits enue generation for traveler information services; however, of this business model is that ODOT does not have to perthe economies of scale of centralizing all information has form any advertising sales or customer relations and account allowed them to operate a successful traveler information collections, because all account relations are performed by system. The variety of information has helped them estab- the Oregon TIC in a role they were already performing for lish a good relationship with the media, including consider- the Interstate logo sign sales.
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Delivery Business Model Best Practices Information service providers most definitely have a role to tailor information delivery according to a Based on the literature review and personal interviews with private business models. industry experts, the following best practices have been · Make as much information available to private sector identified for business models for the operation of traveler information providers as possible information delivery systems: Many states now post traffic data, incident and con struction event information, camera images, and · Try to minimize public sector operations costs as much weather information for easy access by information as possible service providers.
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States. · Telephone calls to 511 information systems during · Information delivery traditionally has been seen as a winter seasons increase drastically compared with "free" service and therefore the only business models calls during the summer seasons, and call volumes in which end users are paying for services are in lim spike during inclement weather.
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· Contradicting the negative feedback, feedback obtained Display Consistencies from surveys of 511 users indicates satisfaction with 511 systems and often describes how useful and benThe results of this projects' study and surveys show that there eficial the systems are. is little consistency in the use of icons and nomenclature of · With few exceptions, the use statistics for 511 do not event descriptions among traveler information websites.
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cated weather information. The Gap Between Weather Information Availability and Delivery Nationally, a great deal of weather information is offered on traveler information websites and 511 phone systems.
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. Kuester, C., "511 Program Performance Monitoring & Eval uation in the San Francisco Bay Area," presented for the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington Metropolitan Transportation Commission, at the 511 State 511 Traveler Information User Survey, Washington National Conference, San Diego, Calif., July 1719, State Department of Transportation, Olympia, 2005 2006.
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