Mare Nostrum VMS Long Mare Nostrum VMS Long Distance CorridorDistance Corridor

Antonio Lucas AlbaAntonio Lucas AlbaDGT ConsultantDGT Consultant

Road Safety and Traffic InstituteRoad Safety and Traffic InstituteUniversity of ValenciaUniversity of Valencia

DGT + INTRAS = SIMVA ProjectDGT + INTRAS = SIMVA Project((SISIstemas de stemas de MMensajes ensajes VAVAriables)riables)

2001-2002 1200 VMS (now over 1600) 5 TCC (now 7) 4 official languages Goals:

1. Analyze VMS displays homogeneity

2. Build a VMS standard catalogue Method: 75% of TCC operators

interviewed

Starring: Multipurpose-VMSStarring: Multipurpose-VMS

Normally one pictogram, sometimes two…

Normally 3 línes of text, Sometimes two, four…

Normally 12 characters, Sometimes 10, 16…

80%

One problem: pictogramsOne problem: pictograms

When no pictogram available or pictogram When no pictogram available or pictogram not understoodnot understood: operators rely on text : operators rely on text and problems appear … and problems appear …

• Multicultural and international issues• Heterogeneity and cognitive overloading• Literacy levels• Legality• Etc.

VMS heterogeneity can be seen as a problem derived from VMS heterogeneity can be seen as a problem derived from pictogram inadequacy or lack of traffic signspictogram inadequacy or lack of traffic signs

SolutionsSolutions

Innovation and/or pictogram re-designInnovation and/or pictogram re-design Determine principles for information organization: Determine principles for information organization:

specificity, consequence oriented pictogramsspecificity, consequence oriented pictograms

Some resultsSome results

International experienceInternational experience

European VMS Platform European VMS Platform (2001-2003)(2001-2003)

Mare Nostrum VMS Long Mare Nostrum VMS Long Distance Corridor (2003 -)Distance Corridor (2003 -) Specific interest on Specific interest on

Multipurpose-VMSMultipurpose-VMS Harmonization laboratoryHarmonization laboratory

UN “Small Group on VMS” UN “Small Group on VMS” (2003 - )(2003 - )

Cooperation with SOMS/IN-Cooperation with SOMS/IN-SAFETYSAFETY

Some outcomesSome outcomes

Judged comprehensibility: Judged comprehensibility: The samplesThe samples

Italian, French, Spanish (DGT, SCT) and Dutch sample characteristics

715

Results (I): LengthResults (I): Length83.3%

52.8%

54.2%

38.6%

27.0%

35.2%

32.7%

32.3%

36.9%

Results (II): DistanceResults (II): Distance

81.1%

29.5%

32.7%

28.8%

29.4%

Results (III): Location between two placesResults (III): Location between two places

54.4%

57.3%

55.9%

52.6%

49,7%

53.8%

51.3%

Up: 54.6%

Down: 52.3%

56.6%

51.1%

52.6%

Results (IV): Road kilometersResults (IV): Road kilometers

61.2%

54.1%

49.0%

46.2%

The referents (V): Length + location between two placesThe referents (V): Length + location between two places

77.8%

30.9%

48.9%

50.2%

43.9%

38.9%

Event length End of event

Event beginningQualitative location

Quantitative location

Combined formulations

Comprehension: computer test via internetComprehension: computer test via internet

Comprehension test: DesignComprehension test: Design

First resultsFirst results

Length and extensionLength and extensionShort and middle term alternativesShort and middle term alternatives

Incorporating a complete coding (alphanumeric language) in order to indicate Incorporating a complete coding (alphanumeric language) in order to indicate distance, length and combinationsdistance, length and combinations

Distance: Separate danger warning and informing about dangersDistance: Separate danger warning and informing about dangers

< 2 KM > 2 KM

8 KM

61,2%

57,3%

29,4%

14/20

14/20

3rd step: laboratory testing

Thanks for your attention

antonio.lucas-alba@uv.es