An integrated route choice and traffic model (CIRCA) is used to assess the effectiveness of variable message signs (VMSs). The study of the application of seven VMSs around the Dutch town of Breda shows that VMSs can be effective, especially as a means of incident management. VMSs can also push back the use of local roads for taking short cuts, and in case of structural congestion improve the performance of the motorway network by some 5%. (A)
Abstract