Locating variable message signs under ATIS environment

The variable message signs (VMS) location problem under the advanced traveler information system (ATIS) environment was studied using the link transmission model. A method for estimating link travel times was proposed for serving the information release of ATIS. Simulation results show that there exists a critical value about the ATIS market penetration. The VMS should be located more away from the intersection with the increase of the ATIS market penetration when the penetration is less than the critical value, closer to the intersection otherwise. It is also shown that the total congestion delay of the system can be further reduced if determining the VMS location with consideration of the ATIS market penetration. This method can help well understand the drivers' route choice behavior under multiple traffic information and evaluate the impact of VMS location on system performance.