This paper aims to shed more light on potential economic costs and benefits associated with new motorist information systems, particularly with respect to economic consequences, by reviewing and combining results obtained in the literature. In addition, future research directions, essential for increased understanding of these systems, are provided. Ultimately, it is concluded that the implementation of a motorist information system will, owing to an efficiency improvement on the road network, generate more traffic. The size of this newly generated traffic is uncertain and is dependent on the kind of information system, behavioral responses of the road users, the particular network under consideration, and the level of market penetration. The benefits to equipped drivers seem to diminish as the level of market penetration increases.
Abstract