Civil and Architectural Engineering
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Current Transportation Research Projects
Title: Developing System for Consistent Messaging on Interstate 80's Dynamic Message Signs
Principal Investigator's Name(s): Dr. Rhonda Young, P.E.
Project Sponsor: Wyoming Department of Transportation
Project Timeline: Completion June 2009
The Interstate 80 corridor between Cheyenne and Laramie experiences extreme weather
conditions that result in a significant number of crashes. The Wyoming Department
of Transportation has invested considerable resources in implementing Intelligent
Transportation Technology in this corridor to address these safety concerns. As part
of this ITS system, there are eight dynamic message signs (DMS) in a 15 mile stretch
of the interstate. In order to effectively operate these message signs and to provide
consistent messaging to the public, this research proposes to develop a process for
integrating data from different sources into a support system for determining sign
messages. The data sources include weather information from the corridor’s Road Weather
Information Systems (RWIS) and the national weather service, speeds from 15 speed
sensors, and condition information from the plow operators.
The main objective of this research work is to develop a decision support system
for Dynamic Message Signs. To meet this objective the following major research tasks
are proposed:
- Establish a base line for existing operations by integrating data from the DMS software, District 1 Dispatch Center Log Books, Speed Sensors, RWIS, and National Weather Service to determine the affect sign messages have had on speeds in corridor.
- Work with Dispatch Personnel, Plow Drivers, and the WYDOT GIS/ITS Program to develop methodologies to improve the consistency of plow condition reports.
- Develop online survey for users of WYDOTs Road Travel website to get feedback on the corridor’s ITS system.
- Create a frequent travelers focus group to generate feedback on how will the ITS system in the corridor was utilized for specific weather events and incidents.
- Test various message sets on the DMSs and monitor speeds and other feedback sources to evaluate their effectiveness.
- Compile the results from all the tasks into a decision support system for operators.
