The use of variable message signs (VMS) and highway advisory radio (HAR) are two methods currently being employed to provide information to motorists. However, there is little coordination of these technologies among Coalition members and the systems are fragmented and often are not current or not operational for major portions of the day. Building upon existing and planned VMS/HAR elements, this project developed an operations and deployment strategy for overall Corridor-wide coordination and communications that enhances the credibility of VMS and HAR by encouraging 24 hour/day, 7 day/week operation using consistent messages and application guidelines. It also recommends the installation of additional VMS/HAR devices where the system is incomplete. The ultimate system would suggest pre-approved messages for specific locations but would leave final approval to on-scene operating staff. The first phase of this project included an inventory of existing and planned capabilities, identification of needs, and the preparation of pre-design functional plans. Later phases involved the deployment of system elements and their integration to satisfy both individual agency requirements and Coalition functions.

Procurement Agency: Delaware DOT
Project Contact: Chris Cox
Brian Smith, VA Transportation Research Council

Provide real-time and consistent information to motorists throughout the Corridor on a consistent and continual basis.

 No data.

This needs definition and feasibility study produced an operations and deployment strategy for overall Corridor-wide coordination and deployment of Variable Message Signs (VMS) and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR). The first phase included an inventory of existing and planned capabilities among all the agencies, identification of needs, and preparation of pre-design functional plans. The study suggested that the credibility of these two information dissemination methods could be enhanced by having 24 hour/day, 7 day/week operation using consistent messages and application guidelines throughout the Corridor. The study also identified geographic gaps at strategic locations and recommended where additional devices would better serve the inter-regional major highway routes for travel information dissemination using VMS and HAR. A quick reference guide that became very popular was developed. It suggested common operational guidelines and recommended practices, along with suggested messages that could be used.

There was general support for consistent operating guidelines for VMS and HAR, and the quick reference guide was very popular for agencies as a help to developing procedures for their own operations. It is still being requested occasionally six years after its publication. As with many of the other core ITS issues, each agency was at a different stage in its planning and implementation. Some who had used HAR found its usefulness did not meet theirs or the motorists’ expectations. Although generally in agreement that there were gaps in the interregional links, those locations and the use of regional messages weren't necessarily the highest priority within an agency's deployment plan. As a result, a specific field operational test that assisted in the purchase, deployment and evaluation of the effectiveness of a coordinated HAR system was funded and began shortly after the feasibility study ended (see Field Operational Test-2). As the Highway Operations staffs met regularly and developed intra-regional procedures for operations during regional incidents, agreements have been reached about cross-jurisdictional messages that can be activated during regional planned or unplanned events.

$1,000,000
Final Project Expenditures: $904,030 (Unspent balance ($95,000) was reallocated to projects Year 6 & 7.)