Effect of multiple traffic information sources on route choice: A driving simulator study

With the arrival of new technologies more en-route traffic information sources have become available, especially in-car sources. The aim this study is to gain insight into effect multiple, and possibly conflicting, on route choice driver behaviour. In a driving simulator experiment, participants were required make multiple drives, each which ended with between normal an alternative route. On trial received from Variable Message Sign (VMS), i.e. dynamic sign above road providing descriptive in form expected travel times (ETTs), navigation device prescriptive advice, or both latter type could be congruent conflicting regards ETTs VMS advise navigation. After trial, indicated how much trust they had their primary source. A Bayesian model was used quantify propensity switch Results indicate that overall compliance very high for source even when other did not corroborate most preferred use VMS. However, provided same route, influenced by advice device. Also, mean speed significantly lower compared trials two conflict, indicating increased mental workload, likely due attentional dissonance: situation stimuli compete attention resulting cognitive conflict need inhibit non-relevant information. deeper understanding drivers cope irrelevant support safety comfort, increase usability sources, help reduce stress, anxiety, overload while driving.