Maryland rolls out travel time message signs
As it deploys 23 electronic message signs on major highways in the state, Maryland is attempting to answer to answer a question that’s been around almost as long as the automobile itself: "How much longer before we get there?"
The State Highway Administration said this week that it has expanded and made permanent its use of variable message signs to keep motorists informed of how long it will take them to reach important interchanges or landmarks in their travels.
For instance, travelers on the southbound Beltway at Park Heights Avenue were informed as Tuesday’s evening rush hour began that it would take them 7-8 minutes to get to Interstate 70 and 12-15 minutes to reach Interstate 95.
Similar messages are now being displayed for travelers in five other locations along the Beltway, eight along I-95, seven on the Capital Beltway and two on Maryland 295.
The rollout of the messages follows a pilot program that began in January along I-95 between Baltimore and Washington that involved three signs in each direction.
State highway spokesman Dave Buck said the agency had received a "very positive" response to that trial. He said the agency intends to further expand the program to other locations such as Interstate 83, Interstate 70 near Frederick, Interstate 270 between there and Washington and Interstate 97 on the way to Annapolis.
Buck acknowledged that the electronic signage isn’t universally appreciated. Some motorists complain that traffic slows as drivers pause to read the messages. Such complaints, he said, have been heard for as long as the signs have been around.
But the more the state uses electronic signs, Buck said, the more people get used to them. He said the predominant feedback has been that "people are getting value out of it."
"State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen said the technology allows the agency to provide real-time information to drivers. "Motorists can in turn make informed decisions about alternate routes of travel plans," he said.
Buck said the travel time messages will be posted most of the time but will be pre-empted for emergency news such as a crash that closes lanes. He said that travel time information would automatically come down from the screens if the estimates reach a level three times normal.
The signs are carefully spaced apart to be most effective, Buck said.
He said the messages cause "maybe a little" slowing but not enough to have a significant impact on traffic flow.
"If you’re going the speed limit, you should be able to read the sign without any problem," he said.
The messages that are on display at the variable message signs around the state can be monitored by viewing the Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) web site at www.traffic.md.gov.
Information for the system is gathered using GPS devices installed in corporate fleet vehicles.
Comments
Only 10 years behind other large cities. I've never seen one when there is a back-up though.
When there is an ccident they need to say what the bacl-up is and how far from the sign is the accident. Saying accident at exit 25 means nothing to most people.
Posted by: ed | March 9, 2010 7:32 PM
We have been using this method in the United Kingdom now for some time, I would say there mainly used in times of congestion i find this way doesn't slow drivers down to read them because they are either already driving slow or even stationary, For me like many other drivers get frustrated in traffic especially when you don't know how long you will be sat there. The Time + Distance Travel signs can ease this frustration just by the simple fact of knowing how long you will be stuck there or how long it will take to reach your destination, providing the information is updated promptly.
Posted by: D Aspey | March 9, 2010 7:45 PM
More unnecessary distraction. Don't use the signs to tell me that things are normal, tell me when things are not normal; in other words, only when I need to make those alternate plans Mr. Pederson. I suspect that the great majority of people who drive the major hwys do so every day. Telling us that it will take 7-8 minutes to get from MD 198 to the Capital Beltway day in and day out is pretty dumb (and a waste of electricity). If you want to do something to help, put signs at the entrance ramps to warn of delays so that we do not commit to entering the highwway when it is already backed-up.
Posted by: John20723 | March 10, 2010 12:09 AM
Quote: "Motorists can in turn make informed decisions about alternate routes of travel plans," he said.
Quote: "He said that travel time information would automatically come down from the screens if the estimates reach a level three times normal."
How, exactly, are you supposed to make "informed decisions" when the most useful information (that there are significant back-ups) is not displayed?
Posted by: Mitch | March 10, 2010 7:15 AM
A sign on the BW Parkway (MD 295) Northbound before the Harbor Tunnel Thruway ramp warning of backups on I-895 would be extremely nice.
Too many times I have exited MD 295 onto I-895 only to end up in a backup within a half mile. Being warned of a major backup would allow me to continue on to the I-95 tunnel or travel thru Baltimore.
Posted by: ted | March 10, 2010 12:08 PM
I always have a nice giggle driving north on 95. Just before the 195 exit but AFTER the 895 exit is where they post the delays for 895. A bit late isn't it?
Also the new signs will be nice in a few months. BUT people are not used to seeing them and have to slow down to read them(I don't know why...).
Posted by: applezz13 | March 11, 2010 7:10 AM