Drivers’ Reading Time Model on Variable Message Signs Using Korean Characters

Variable message sign (VMS) which is used for providing real-time information on traffic conditions and accident occurrences is an important component of intelligent transport systems (ITS). Proper consideration of drivers’ message reading time is necessary for designing VMS message phase and duration. The drivers’ message reading time depends on various factors, such as the number of information units, the number of lines, character height, drivers’ travel speed, and driver characteristics. In this study, a portable VMS (PVMS) using Korean characters was specially manufactured for the study of VMS message reading time, which has three lines with eight characters per line. Various field experiments were conducted using this portable VMS to obtain drivers’ message reading time with respect to the above causal factors. The relationships between the drivers’ message reading time and various causal factors were statistically tested by ANOVA. Also, regression modeling techniques were applied to develop an estimation model for drivers’ message reading time. By the final established model, it is shown that the message reading time is affected by the number of information units, drivers’ travel speed, gender and age group.