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147 APPENDIX D: Research Gap Consensus Scores and Notes Research Gap Rel. Guide Cost Notes 1. Does the provision of additional information as an explanation to justify and encourage travel at reduced speeds increase the effectiveness of a dynamic speed limit with better speed compliance and lower average speed, e.g., âlow visibilityâ or âcongestion aheadâ via supplemental DMS or dynamic elements on the dynamic speed limit signs? (Q1 or Q2) 4-5 4 2-3 2. Is there a benefit of increased driver understanding in providing static signage in advance of ATM deployments to explain symbols? (Q1) 4 3-4 2 Likely a Sim study. 3. What media is the best for disseminating dynamic information to satisfy driver wants and needs? (Q1, Q3) 5 3-4 3 4. What media for disseminating dynamic information achieves the lowest driver distraction, highest driver understanding and usage, and largest safety and mobility benefits? (Q2, Q3, Q4) 4-5 3-4 1-2 âmobility and safetyâ make the cost element a 1 â without them, it is a 2 5. Are lane closure pictogram on a DMS understood by drivers, and is it equally or more effective than information presented via overhead dynamic lane control signs? (Q4) 4 3 2-3 2 â if we can use static stimuli 3 if we need a simulator Critical Research Questions for NCHRP 02-124 Q1. What information related to ATM strategies does a driver want and need? What characteristics are associated with this information (e.g., reliability, timeliness)? Q2. How much information can a driver process via the complementary and contrasting modalities (e.g., visual, auditory), given the context and distractions? Q3. What existing and potential media could be used to deliver this information? Media that are under the control of transportation agencies (e.g., electronic signs) are of primary interest but alternative and innovative media (e.g., in-vehicle displays, cell phone applications, geographic information systems) and their evolving capabilities and roles must be examined. Q4. Given a particular message and medium, what are effective ways to prioritize, format, and present the information to achieve a desired and safe response by drivers? Q5. How can an agency evaluate the return on investment of an ATM infrastructure or information technology decision? Q6. How can an agency balance the needs of drivers and the infrastructure costs, including maintenance and operations?
148 Research Gap Rel. Guide Cost Notes 6. Can dynamic information traditionally presented on lane control signs with supplemental DMS be presented on less signage in an equally or more effective manner? (Q4) 4 3 3 7. Given the many variations in signage for dynamic speed limit deployments, what information and display for dynamic speeds is most effective for achieving driver understanding and reduced speeds? (Q4) 3 4 2 8. Is there a way to accurately quantify mobility-related benefits of an ATM deployment, or the safety-related benefits of a temporary ATM deployment? (Q5) 5 4-5 4 Less driver performance and more state-level trade study of best practices. 9. How can agencies systematically trade-off the various criteria associated with mobility, safety, cost, and driver needs when considering the deployment of ATM strategies? (Q6) 5 4-5 4 Not sure this is really a research study. 10. Given a situation where multiple ATM media are available, what information do drivers want/how do drivers want to receive the information/when do drivers want to receive the information? (Q1) 4 4-5 3 Preference study with static stimuli â perhaps done as a survey. 11. Given a situation where multiple ATM media are available, what would be the most efficient and the least distracting modality (or modality combination) to deliver ATM information for the alternative/innovative ATM media? (Q2) 4 4 2 Needs to include driver performance, probably in a simulator â lots of modality combinations may need to be explored 12. In a situation where multiple ATM media are deployed (e.g., electronic signs and in- vehicle displays), should they deliver the same information? Or should each medium need to play a specific role to compensate each other and to avoid redundancy? And what will be the best way to harmonize multiple ATM media (including traditional and alternative media) and how to evaluate the effectiveness/efficiency? (Q3) 4 4 2 Could be done as a combined study with the study in Q11 13. What kind of ATM strategies/messages is practically feasible for shifting to smart phone applications/embedded in-vehicle displays? (Q4) 4 3 4 Originally part 1 of 2 Questions. More of an analysis, not really research. â What can be done from a practical perspective?
149 What are some possible groupings, given the ratings above and our sense of how the individual questions could be addressed? 1 and 2 are likely a simulator study. Combine 3, 4, 10, 11, & 12 â conduct as a simulator study or (maybe) a set of related studies. Combine 8 and 9 â these are State DOT surveys, focus groups, etc. that can be done as a single study Combine 5 & 6 â can be done as a focus group study using static stimuli This leaves 7 and 13; 7 is difficult, it requires lots of effort, with a fairly minimal yield in terms of guidance. 13 has some challenges given the range of display options (primarily size) available for mobile devices and some uncertainty as to content; we are not yet sure of the âuniverseâ of messages that could be presented.