Does real-time travel information reduce traffic congestion?
Exploring the use of real-time travel information
Challenge
We can find out about traffic congestion, crashes, and road conditions from many sources (radio, TV, highway signs, 511, smartphones, and Twitter) before we begin a trip. The Transportation Research Board (TRB), part of the nonprofit National Academies, wants to know how we are using this information and whether it is helping to reduce congestion by allowing drivers to choose alternate routes or make other travel decisions. TRB asked Westat to study how drivers use this information and how the systems could be improved.