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Internet and Telephone Traveler Information Services Influence Commuter Behavior More Effectively than Radio/TV Broadcasts

In San Francisco, traveler information was collected, processed, and disseminated directly to the traveling public via the TravInfo^TM telephone and Internet traveler advisory service. A field operational test was conducted to measure the impacts of this system. Survey results indicated 81% of Internet visitors changed their travel plans after receiving route specific information from the TravInfo^TM website, 45% of callers changed their travel plans after receiving information from the TravInfo^TM phone line, and 25% of travelers changed their travel plans after receiving relevant information from radio/television broadcasts.

The scope of the survey was limited (334 website visitors surveyed, and 429 telephone users surveyed) and the majority of Bay Area households were unaware of TravInfo^TM services. The results provided some evidence that the graphical displays and verbal descriptions of freeway traffic speeds and incident locations, enabled Bay Area information seekers to establish earlier departure times and choose alternate routes.

See the ITS Benefits Database entry on this study for more information.

Past "Benefit of the Month" summaries are also available.

Last Modified: 12/02/2003