This study proposes a realistic method to evaluate impacts of dynamic traffic information provision, and after the essence of impacts using a simple road network and a simple OD (origin-destination) demand are analysed, the method is applied to a real urban expressway network using observed OD volumes. Although traffic information has been dynamically provided through VMS, onboard equipment, highway radio etc., the impacts on traffic have not been well evaluated by taking the daily OD demand fluctuation. A new evaluation method is therefore proposed considering the OD demand fluctuation and showing a possibility that the information provision may lead to total travel time increase. To examine this possibility, the method was then applied to the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway network for one month. As a result, it is confirmed that dynamic traffic information provision would not be effective under regular traffic condition except at the beginning of a peak. However, the benefit arises in unusual traffic condition caused by incidents.
Abstract