Abstract
PURPOSES : The accuracy of travel time information is a key measure of effectiveness and reliability of advanced traveler information systems. This study aims at investigating drivers' perception on the acceptable level of information accuracy and their corresponding valuations. METHODS : A questionnaire survey was executed for collecting driver perception data to capture the expectation level of travel time information provided and their willingness to pay for the information. A Tobit model was adopted for exploring the relationship among the acceptable level, driver socioeconomic characteristics and travel attributes. Since drivers' willingness to pay for accurate travel time information can be different according to their travel lengths, a piecewise linear regression model was developed to capture the sensitivity of values of travel time information to travel length. RESULTS : The analysis results suggest that trip purpose and travel time are two dominant factors to determine drivers' acceptable level of travel time information. For business and short trips, drivers want more accurate information than for non-business and long trips. Drivers' willingness to pay for travel time information also varies depending on their incomes, trip purposes and travel lengths. The results also show that drivers' valuation of travel time information provided is sensitive to their travel length. For longer trips, drivers are less sensitive to travel time information and then put less value on the information provided. CONCLUSIONS : Censored nonlinear regression models are developed to estimate drivers' acceptable accuracy for travel time information and their valuation using questionnaire survey data. The findings on drivers perception to the required accuracy of travel time information and their corresponding willingness to pay can be used in the design and deployment of advanced traveler information system to improve its effectiveness and usefulness through high compliance.
