Active traffic management in urban areas: Is it effective for professional drivers? The case of variable message signs

Abstract Active traffic management is the ability to dynamically manage congestion based on prevailing and predicted traffic conditions. Several technologies and algorithms have been employed to develop a set of tools utilised by Traffic Control/Traffic Management Centres with the aim to mitigate disruptions and improve traffic flow in the road networks. One such tool, belonging to the Advanced Traveller Information Systems category is Variable Message Signs. Variable Message Signs are located in major roads and provide real-time traffic information to the drivers so as to modify their behaviour considering the prevailing traffic conditions. To this end, the question arises. Is active traffic management in urban road networks – as currently provided by Variable Message Signs – effective for professional drivers? In plain words, do professional drivers modify their route choice, i.e. divert under the provision of real-time traffic information? A stated preference survey was performed to truck and taxi drivers to identify their response to information provided by Variable Message Signs. Results, in the form of ordered probit models indicated that the provided information is not that relevant to the investigated driver categories, as it is for passenger car drivers.