Summary

Changeable message signs are being used more extensively on California's highways, but there are several consequences and effectiveness of non-traditional CMS applications that have not been considered. Do drivers slow down to read messages on CMS? If CMS are used for public safety campaigns, does that diminish the importance of other messages? Overall, are CMS effective for public safety messages and improving highway safety?

A study is required to answer these questions. First, a review will be conducted about the effects of CMS public safety campaigns. Secondly, experts will be interviewed about similar programs in other states. Thirdly, more experts from stakeholder groups (California Highway Patrol and CalTrans) will be conducted. Next, a focus group of motorists will discuss the use of CMS for public safety campaigns. In addition, a statewide telephone survey and in-person surveys at retail areas will be conducted and the results will be analyzed. Finally, pre-CMS and post-CMS data from the California Highway Patrol will be compared.

The result is a comprehensive study of the effectiveness of CMS that can be used to improve the usage of CMS.

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