This report evaluates the use of commercial radio as a means of communicating accurate and timely traffic information to the motorist. The objective was to determine whether traffic information derived from the Los Angeles Area Freeway Surveillance Control Project (LAAFSCP) computer could appreciably improve the quality and quantity of commercial radio traffic advisories. It was felt that with the aid of electronic surveillance, the information would be more timely than by existing conventional means. Results of the evaluation have shown that commercial radio can be used effectively for reporting major incident information in which incidents last longer than 15 minutes. Traffic information for short duration incidents of 15 minutes or less proved very untimely. It recommends the use of remote visual verification of incidents such as closed-circuit television for improving the timeliness and quality of traffic advisories.
Abstract