This report analyses the results of an inter-urban route choice study in Gloucestershire to estimate the potential benefits available to a perfect system of route guidance operating throughout Great Britain. The contribution from commuter, leisure, business and commercial vehicle journeys are considered separately. It is estimated that about £540 million was effectively wasted in Great Britain in 1979 by drivers who sought but failed to find minimum time or distance routes on unfamiliar journeys greater than 5 km in length. It is thought that this wastage represents the potential benefits available to a perfect system of route guidance. The consequent saving in vehicle-kilometres might also produce a saving in road accidents, bringing the total benefit to around £575 million per year. (Author/publisher)
Abstract