The Benefits of Advanced Traveler Information Systems

The benefits of advanced traveler information systems (ATIS) to travelers are likely to be significant. ATIS enables travelers to make informed travel decisions, which may result in changes in travel behavior, thus permitting efficient use of the existing roadway infrastructure. This paper presents the summary findings of three travel behavior studies conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area regarding the benefits of ATIS from the traveler perspective. The surveys revealed that the perceived benefits of traveler information varied somewhat depending on the types of information received. Information received through a traveler advisory telephone system called TravInfo had greater impact on travel behavior than did radio traffic information because it offers up-to-the minute and route-specific information.