Understanding driver behavior and response to traffic information is necessary in order to achieve the maximum benefit from Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS). This paper describes the development of a travel simulator to collect information on driver route choice in response to traffic information. A main feature of the simulator is the realistic representation of multiple traffic information sources (currently VMS and radio messages). Furthermore, the simulator is one of the first Internet-based travel simulators, and the only one that accurately simulated the driving task. The simulator consists of collection of pre-trip information and default route information followed by multiple simulated trips with varying incidents and traffic information. The simulator is evaluated and measures well against established guidelines for travel simulator development. Results will be discussed in future papers as data collection using the simulator is ongoing as of August 2007.
Samenvatting