Traffic management and user perception: an analysis of Variable Message Signs using Fuzzy Logic

Variable message signs have today become an indispensable tool for managing traffic in urban and suburban areas, such as sending real-time information to motorists in transit along roads where panels are positioned. The study draws on drivers’ response to a series of interviews conducted in the city of Brescia. The interviews showed that a large proportion of drivers does not read the messages, and indeed very often does not even remember having seeing the sign. The marginal usefulness of these facilities can probably be attributed to the fact that the panels are constantly used to display messages devoid of immediate interest (eg, greetings, penalties for traffic violations, general information about the highway code , etc.), with the result that drivers become jaded to their content. The fuzzy logic technique, devised specifically for handling vague and imprecise data, is adopted here to evaluate the vague and unclear memory drivers retain of messages and of the type of display board used. The analysis has highlighted the need to display information using a specific layout for the VMS messages.