Identification of Traveler Information and Decision-Making Needs for Managed Lane Users (0-4160-13)

Researchers conducted focus groups in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio to better determine what information drivers believe they need and how well they understand current and proposed message formats. Participants disagreed with the standard of marking the entrance to the managed lane from the general-purpose lanes with an EXIT sign, as they considered themselves still on the overall facility. Participants were also receptive to using a different color sign or at least a different colored banner to help differentiate between managed lane and general-purpose lane information. The research team develop a conceptualized driver decision-making model to help managed lane designers understand the type of information that drivers need in order to make informed decisions about whether or not to use the managed lane facility. Recommendations are made for further research into which types of information could be moved off of the roadway and presented in other formats, such as the Internet or highway advisory radios.