Effects of Weather Related Safety Messages on the Motorway Traffic Parameters

Abstract

Intelligent transport systems have a huge importance during adverse weather conditions. These systems call the drivers’ attention to possible dangers by the use of variable message signs installed along the motorways. Several researchers have dealt with the connection of weather and traffic safety in the last decades, but they have not investigated the effects of weather related messages. This paper examines the impact of weather-related warning messages on traffic in adverse weather circumstances on the Hungarian motorways. Three independent databases were analyzed in order to compare the speed-reducing effect of specific signs during different weather events and precipitate intensities.