The CLEOPATRA telematics project in the European Union's Fourth Framework Programme involves strategies for collective and/or individual driver route guidance in six European cities including London. This paper presents its work in London, which includes the evaluation of aspects of the variable message sign (VMS) installations in inner London, operated from New Scotland Yard. The CLEOPATRA methodology first examines current operator usage of the VMS system, and driver attitudes to and requirements for VMS. A stated preference study is then conducted to determine the likely effect of specific messages on driver route choice in London; the route choice logic is then to be incorporated in RGCONTRAM. RGCONTRAM will later be used to model driver diversion rates, to predict the likely traffic flow patterns and road network performance under incident conditions. A field demonstration will compare observed and modelled traffic measurements and driver decisions. The paper describes the London VMS system and its current usage, and discusses the results of driver surveys, including drivers' attitudes to London VMS information and responses to immediate warning messages. The study's results will also contribute to an economic evaluation of VMS effectiveness and to the production of message guidelines.
Abstract