Driver's response towards traffic information under travel time variability

Abstract

Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) has been applied in many countries because it has been proved as one of potential solutions to solve congestion problem and to improve the quality of driving. Providing drivers with additional traffic information, it is expected to influence their travel decision on route and destination selection, or even on cancellation of the trip. A number of studies have been conducted in order to improve the performance of ATIS in various ways, such as the setting of the system, the content of information, the accuracy of the information, etc. Yet the effectiveness of the system is heavily dependent on the driver’s behavior and response to the given information. The behaviors are somewhat unique for specific individuals (cities). The primary objective of this study wais to analyze the behavior of drivers in different South East Asia major cities; Bangkok (Thailand), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and Singapore (Singapore), pertaining changing route under influence of traffic information availability and travel variability situation. Users' characteristics including socio-economic and trip characteristic as well as the responses to traffic information were investigated through Revealed Preference while the responses of drivers while encountered choices between main and alternate route with different travel time duration and uncertainty, and cost properties were determined, using Stated Preference (SP) technique. The results illustrate that the behavior of drivers in the three cities are different pertaining the factors that affect them to change the route. Their socio-economic and trip characteristics play a role in determining their route changing behavior. From stated choice study, the value of travel time and value of travel time variability can be obtained, which the highest went to Singapore drivers. Drivers appreciate reduced travel time variability than reduced duration.