| Summary |
Yi-Wei Kuo, 2007.10
Institute of Traffic and Transportation National Chiao Tung University
Advanced Driver Information Systems (ADIS) have been considered to improve network performance and service quality by offering real-time traffic information to drivers for changing their enroute decisions. However, the benefits of ADIS are achieved only if the drivers respond to the real-time traffic information in a positive manner. Hence, the effectiveness of real-time traffic information greatly depends on the drivers’ acceptance and compliance toward it. This is the critical factor for successful implementation of ADIS. Moreover, which types of real-time traffic information should be provided is also crucial to drivers’ enroute switching behavior.
In the past, studies focusing on drivers’ route switching behavior might not discuss the effects of drivers’ viewpoints of real-time traffic information on positive and negative aspects simultaneously. Drivers’ perceptions, attitudes, and preferences toward real-time traffic information should be taken into seriously consideration in the revision of information contents. To explore the effects of real-time traffic information on freeway drivers’ enroute switching behavior, this study used two stage research methods. First, this paper applied “Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)” to verify the latent variables that would positively or negatively affect drivers’ enroute switching intention and explore the causal effect between them. Then “Ordered Probit Model (OPM)” method was used to confirm whether latent variables and traffic information scenarios would affect drivers’ stated enroute switching behavior in the congestion situation.
According to the case study, the research subjects were freeway drivers traveling between Keelung and Hsinchu City, and 493 valid questionnaires were collected. The results of SEM showed that all research hypotheses have been confirmed. Drivers’ perceived value and usage attitude toward real-time traffic information had positive effects on their enroute switching intention. The drivers’ enroute switching intentions were negatively impeded by the drivers’ tolerance of congestion and perceived switching barriers. Therefore, it must be taken great consideration to provide more applicable route information contents in terms of drivers’ opinions. The empirical results reveal that drivers’ enroute switching behavior would be motivated by providing more detailed information on the alternative route. The improvement of the route information contents may help the traffic management agency to implement the strategies of congestion management. |
