Awareness and Use of Real-Time Travel Information: A Panel Study of the Dallas US-75 and San Diego I-15 Corridors

Transcription

1 Awareness and Use of Real-Time Travel Information: A Panel Study of the Dallas US-75 and San Diego I-15 Corridors Authors: Joseph Luna* Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 55 Broadway Cambridge, MA Phone: joseph.luna@dot.gov Margaret Petrella Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 55 Broadway Cambridge, MA Phone: margaret.petrella@dot.gov Eli Byerly-Duke Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 55 Broadway Cambridge, MA Phone: eli.byerly-duke@dot.gov *corresponding author Word Count: 6,184 text, including references and acknowledgements + 4 tables/figures (1000) = 7,184 total Submission Date: November 15, 2016

2 ABSTRACT This paper presents findings from a panel survey of peak-hour travelers in the Dallas US-75 corridor and the San Diego I-15 corridor. The surveys, administered as part of the national evaluation of the Integrated Corridor Management Initiative, were conducted over approximately 27 months and included measures related to travelers awareness and use of real-time traffic information. Overall, the surveys find that radio and electronic message signs, followed by television and smartphones, were utilized most often by respondents to acquire real-time information, with smartphone usage experiencing significant growth across the survey waves. This paper also examines demographic differences in the use of information devices and sources. Gender, education, and income were each related to the use of information devices and sources, though the relationships were not always consistent across sites. With respect to age, there were stronger and more consistent relationships, particularly in the use of smartphones and apps, as younger respondents relied on these devices more frequently compared to older respondents (55 or older). In addition, the analysis demonstrates that travel characteristics need to be considered. Respondents who faced severe traffic congestion more frequently during their peak-hour trips and respondents who had longer trips on the facility were more likely than their counterparts to frequently check real-time information.

3 INTRODUCTION Advanced traveler information systems (ATIS) have the potential to improve travelers experience by providing them with real-time information about their travel routes and options, thus empowering them to make better informed travel decisions. A panel survey conducted as part of the national evaluation of the Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Initiative offers the opportunity to reassess who ATIS customers are, their awareness and use of real-time traffic information, and the impact of that information on their travel behavior. Previous studies are divided on what factors most influence ATIS use. Most agree that consumers are more likely to both use and act on ATIS if there is a high degree of uncertainty about road conditions, especially congestion (Youngbin, 2002) (Peirce) (Soriguera) (Khoo). It was also generally found that consumers whose journey was time sensitive were more likely to use ATIS (Peirce) (Soriguera).Traditional demographic variables seemed to have more minimal effects. Several studies found that younger consumers were more likely to use ATIS (Wang) (Clark) (Kattan). However, this effect was not universal and some similar studies found no effect (Peirce). Several studies also found that heavy internet usage strongly correlated to use of ATIS (Peirce) (Seebauer). A variety of studies found that levels of education (Seebauer), income (Wang), or employment (Peirce), positively correlated to increased use of ATIS. However, due to the fact that education, income, and employment are themselves correlated, it is unclear if each variable truly has an effect. Some studies found that gender had an effect, but were divided on the direction of the effect; in some cases men (Seebauer) (Kattan) and in other cases women (Youngbin, 2002) were found to use ATIS more often. The majority of past work has focused on publically provided ATIS, and many do not examine privately available resources. Given the prevalence of smartphone based mapping apps, this is a key gap although such apps were clearly not as prevalent when the older studies were released. Additionally, each of these studies focused on a specific metropolitan region (or state (Cleark)), and so regional or contextual factors may affect the results. While some previous studies found that ATIS use did not correspond to changes in behavior (Koo), most indicate that ATIS use leads to moderate benefits to consumers, usually through altered departure times or travel routes (Lappin) (Al-Deek, et al) (Clark et al). Background The U.S. Department of Transportation launched the Integrated Corridor Management Initiative in 2006 as part of its effort to address congestion. Through the combined application of intelligent transportation systems technologies and the commitment of network partners to coordinate their operations, ICM integrates operations across individual networks to manage total corridor capacity. As part of the ICM Initiative, the U.S. DOT awarded funding in December 2009 to Dallas and San Diego to demonstrate and measure the impact of their ICM applications. A national evaluation is being conducted at each site to measure the benefits of ICM and to inform knowledge transfer. Additionally, ITS JPO, in collaboration with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), funded a panel survey of travelers in each corridor to understand the travel behavior impacts of ICM on corridor travelers.

4 The Corridors Each of the demonstration sites is a primary north-south corridor that serves local, regional, and interregional travel. Because the corridors link downtown cities with outlying suburbs, the corridors are heavily utilized as commuter routes. The study corridor in Dallas is the US-75 Corridor which runs approximately 25 miles and includes US-75, frontage roads, a key arterial, Greenville Avenue, which runs parallel to US-75, and a light rail line operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit. The San Diego demonstration site is a 21-mile segment of I-15 in San Diego County. This corridor runs from State Route (SR) 52 in the City of San Diego to SR 78 in the City of Escondido. The corridor includes I-15, several key arterials, and the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Bus Rapid Transit service as well as local bus service. METHODOLOGY OVERVIEW The survey utilizes a panel design, whereby the same individuals are surveyed both before and after the deployment of ICM in order to assess changes in the use of real-time traffic information, travel behavior, and opinions. The baseline data collection period was November 2012 through March Respondents completed a baseline survey measuring their typical use of the corridor (mode, routes, alternates, time of travel), their satisfaction with trips made in the corridor, their typical use of and satisfaction with traveler information, and the impact of that information on their travel behavior. In addition to the baseline survey, respondents were invited to complete shorter pulse surveys administered immediately following incidents in each of the corridors. Since the impacts of ICM are expected to be greatest during incident conditions, the pulse surveys were designed to collect information on how travelers respond to specific events or incidents that occur during peak periods in the corridor. Following the deployment of ICM, the post-icm data collection period ran from September 2014 through January 2015 and included pulse surveys as well as a final or endline survey that mirrored the baseline survey. Study Population The study population includes regular users of the main facility (US-75, I-15) in each of the corridors. In order to qualify for the survey, individuals had to travel on the facility three or more weekdays per week in either the AM peak period (6-10 AM) and/or the PM peak period (3-7 PM). As a consequence, the results from this survey are representative of regular, peak hour corridor users. Corridor drivers were sampled via license plate capture photography conducted during peak hours on US-75 and I-15. License plates were matched to vehicle registration data and an invitation to participate in the survey effort was mailed to the registered vehicle owner. Vehicles with commercial plates were excluded from the scope of the study. Survey Administration Sampled drivers received a pre-notification postcard about the study, followed by an invitation packet that included a formal letter and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document. Reminder postcards were mailed to drivers who did not respond to the initial survey request. Incentives were also used to encourage participation. Upon completing the baseline survey, respondents received a $10 Amazon gift card. Respondents who completed pulse surveys in the pre-and post-deployment periods had their names entered into a raffle for an ipad (drawn

5 monthly during the pulse survey period). Nearly all respondents completed the survey online, although a toll-free number was also provided so respondents could complete the survey by phone. Following completion of the endline survey, respondents received an additional incentive of $30. Sample Size and Response Rates The Dallas panel sample includes 1421 respondents, which represents an overall response rate of 3%. Across the two survey waves (from baseline to endline), the survey effort achieved a 32% panel retention rate. In San Diego, the overall response rate was 3% as well, resulting in a sample of 1236 panel respondents. The panel retention rate across survey waves was 38%. KEY FINDINGS Use of Devices Respondents were asked how they often utilize different devices, including television, radio, smartphone, electronic highway message signs, desktop, laptop, tablets, or GPS, to check real time traffic and traveler information. Response options included never use, use less than one day per week, use about one day per week, use a few times per week, or use 1+ times per day. Radio was the most popular device for travelers to monitor real-time traffic and information. In Dallas, 68% of baseline respondents reported listening to radio at least a few times a week to get real-time information. This proportion held over time, with 65% of endline respondents using radio in this way. Turning to San Diego, about one-half of respondents in both the baseline and endline reported listening to radio at least a few times a week for real-time information (54% and 51%, respectively). Highway signs were also a popular means of monitoring real-time traffic and traveler information. In Dallas, 61% of baseline respondents reported using highway signs at least a few times a week for real-time traffic and traveler information, as did 63% of endline respondents. In San Diego, using highway signs to monitor real-time traffic and traveler information was popular and increased over time. Around 46% of baseline respondents indicated highway sign usage at least a few times a week, which rose to approximately 53% of endline respondents. Over the course of the study, smartphones became substantially more popular as devices for monitoring real-time traffic and traveler information. In Dallas, 37% of baseline respondents reported using a smartphone at least a few times a week for real-time traffic and traveler information. This proportion increased to 58% in the endline. Similarly, in San Diego, frequent use of smartphones (at least a few times per week) increased from 37% to 48%. Television was a moderately popular device for getting real-time traffic and traveler information. In Dallas, roughly three-in-ten respondents reported watching television at least a few times a week to obtain real-time information in both the baseline and endline surveys. In San Diego, about one-quarter of respondents in each survey wave watched television at least a few times a week to monitor real-time traffic and traveler information (28% baseline; 27% endline).

6 Other devices, including desktops, laptops and tablets were generally used with less frequency. In the Dallas baseline, nearly one-fifth of respondents used their desktop, 14% used their laptop and 12% used their tablet. By the endline survey, each of these shares had increased slightly (25%, 21% and 21%, respectively). In the San Diego baseline, desktops (21%), laptops (18%), and tablets (15%) were also used less frequently (relative to radio, smartphones and television), and use levels remained stable across the survey waves. The surveys also included portable navigation devices, but these devices were owned by significantly fewer Dallas respondents (273 baseline and 75 endline). In the Dallas baseline 29% of owners made frequent use of their portable navigation devices, and in the endline 59% did so, but this represents a relatively small proportion of the overall sample. TABLE 1: Changes in the Frequent Use of Devices for Real Time Information Note: Frequent use combines At least a few times per week and 1+ times per day Frequent use of: Dallas San Diego Baseline Endline Baseline Endline Radio 69% 65% 53% 51% Electronic Highway 61% 63% 45% 53% Signs Smartphones 38% 58% 37% 48% Television 30% 31% 28% 27% Desktop 17% 25% 21% 21% Laptop 14% 22% 18% 14% Tablet 12% 21% 14% 14% The following section of the paper presents more detailed findings from the endline survey for devices used most often, including radio, highway signs, smartphones and television. Television In Dallas, 31% of endline respondents relied on television at least a few times a week for realtime travel information. Similarly, 27% of endline respondents in San Diego used television as frequently. Higher proportions of women than men report frequent use of television for realtime information in both Dallas (35% of women, 28% of men) and San Diego (30% of women, 24% of men). Such behavior is also more common amongst older respondents, aged 55 or older (38%, Dallas; 31% San Diego) than younger (under 35) respondents (15% Dallas; 25% San Diego). Respondents reporting lower educational attainment (i.e., no college) relied on television more frequently (40% Dallas; 40% San Diego) than those who achieved a bachelor s degree (31% Dallas; 26% San Diego). Graduate degree holders were also less likely to frequently utilize television for real-time information in both Dallas (22%) and San Diego (17%). In San Diego, respondents reporting incomes of less than $50,000 a year were more likely to frequently use television for real-time information than those with high incomes (40% vs. 31% for those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 vs. 21% for those earning $100,000 or more). In Dallas, however, respondents income brackets did not strongly correspond, positively or negatively, with their use of television for real-time information.

7 Radio High proportions of endline respondents reported listening to radio for real-time information at least a few times a week, in both Dallas (65%) and San Diego (51%). Similar to television, higher proportions of women frequently listened to radio for real-time information (69% Dallas and 55% San Diego), compared to men (60% Dallas, 48% San Diego). In Dallas, such behavior was more common amongst respondents 55 or older compared to those under 35 years of age (72% vs. 56%). Similarly, in San Diego, respondents aged 55 or older were most likely to frequently consult radio (57%), particularly in comparison to those aged 35 to 44 (40%) and those aged 18 to 34 (50%). Dallas respondents reporting lower education attainment (i.e. no college) relied on radio more frequently for real-time information than those with a bachelor s degree (80% vs. 63%). In contrast, the proportions reporting frequent radio usage in San Diego did not vary strongly across educational levels. Smartphones In Dallas, 58% of endline respondents relied on smartphones at least a few times a week for realtime travel information and in San Diego, 48% did so. Higher proportions of young respondents (under age 35) reported frequent smartphone usage in both Dallas and San Diego (73% and 69%, respectively). In comparison, 43% of Dallas respondents aged 55+ and 32% of San Diego respondents aged 55+ reported frequent smartphone usage. Despite any differences by demographic characteristics, smartphone usage increased substantially for all age groups, all education groups and all income groups between the baseline and endline surveys. Highway Signs High proportions of endline respondents reported following highway signs for real-time information at least a few times a week, in both Dallas (63%) and San Diego (53%). Around 73% of Dallas respondents without a college education indicated that they used highway signs at least a few times a week, compared to 61% of respondents with bachelor s degrees. On the other hand, usage was relatively even across educational levels in San Diego. With respect to income, higher proportions of San Diego endline respondents at the lower income brackets (60% earning less than $50,000 annually; 61% earning between $50,000 and $100,000) stated that they frequently rely on highway signs, compared to 47% of respondents earning between $100,000 to $150,000 and 48% earning over $150,000. In Dallas, there was no strong correspondence, positive or negative, between income and usage of highway signs for real-time information. Information Sources In addition to understanding the devices that travelers use, the survey asked about specific information sources, including websites, apps, alerts, telephone services, and social media. To measure both awareness and use, respondents were asked to indicate for each source if they: never heard of it, heard of but never used it, used it less than one day a week, used it about once a week, used it at least a few times per week, or used it one or more times per day). Among these source types, respondents made the most frequent use of websites and apps. In particular, among website sources, Google Maps and TV/Radio Station websites were the most popular. With respect to apps, Google Maps stood out as being used most frequently in both

8 Dallas and San Diego, followed by Waze. Significantly fewer respondents used any other app listed in the survey. Relatively few respondents regularly utilize alerts, telephone services, or social media. No more than 2% of Dallas respondents reported consulting any of the alerts or telephone services listed in the survey, in both the baseline and the endline surveys. Usage of social media was similarly low, although there was a small increase in the overall use of Facebook in Dallas (3% reported ever using Facebook in the baseline compared to 8% in the endline). Results for the Google Maps website, TV/Radio Station websites, Google Maps app and Waze are presented below, as there was sufficient sample for more detailed analysis. All demographic analyses utilize the endline survey. Google Maps Website In Dallas, 35% of endline respondents stated that they used the Google Maps website at least a few times a week for real-time information. A smaller proportion of respondents in San Diego, 22%, reported using the Google Maps website at least a few times a week. In Dallas, a higher proportion of men (39%) indicated that they frequently used the Google Maps website, compared to women (31%), and in San Diego, a similar relationship by gender was apparent. Higher proportions of young respondents (under 35 years) reported frequent reliance on the Google Maps website, in both Dallas (55%) and San Diego (42%). In contrast, lower proportions of those aged 55 or older signaled frequent reliance on the Google maps website (24% Dallas; 12% San Diego). In Dallas, lower educational attainment corresponded with a lower proportion of frequent users of the Google Maps website. Approximately 22% of Dallas respondents without a college education reported that they used the website at least a few times a week, compared to 39% of respondents with a bachelor s degree. In San Diego, no strong correspondence, positive or negative, existed between respondents educational attainment and frequency of usage of the Google Maps website. With respect to income, approximately 15% of San Diego respondents earning less than $50,000 a year reported frequent use of the Google Maps website, compared to 26% of respondents earning over $150,000 a year. There was no strong correspondence between income and Google Maps website usage in Dallas. Across the two survey waves, usage of the Google Maps website for real-time traffic and traveler information increased. In Dallas, 20% of baseline respondents reported using the Google Maps website at least a few times a week for real-time traffic and traveler information. At the endline, that proportion increased to 35%. In San Diego, 14% of baseline respondents turned to the Google Maps website at least a few times a week for information, and at the time of the endline, 22% reported doing so. TV/Radio Station Websites TV and radio station websites were somewhat popular means for monitoring real-time traffic and traveler information. In Dallas, 25% of endline respondents reported visiting television and radio station websites for real-time travel information. In San Diego, 14% of endline respondents reported visiting these websites for real-time travel information. In Dallas, women were more likely than men to frequently consult TV and Radio station websites (29% vs. 21%), and similarly, those aged 55 or older (33%) were somewhat more likely than their younger

9 counterparts to frequently consult this source. There were no strong demographic differences in station website usage in San Diego. Google Maps App Using the Google Maps app for real-time travel information was popular in Dallas, with 37% of endline respondents indicating that they used the app at least a few times a week. Approximately 23% of San Diego endline respondents stated that they used the app as frequently. There were pronounced differences across age levels. 52% of respondents under 35 reported that they frequently used the app for real-time information, as did 42% of the same age group in San Diego. To compare, 24% of Dallas respondents ages 55 or older reported frequent usage of the app, as did 12% of older respondents in San Diego. One quarter (25%) of Dallas respondents without a college education reported frequent use of the app, which was lower than the proportions reported by higher-education groups (36% for respondents with a bachelor s degree). With respect to income, 15% of San Diego respondents earning under $50,000 annually stated that they frequently used the Google Maps app. This proportion generally increased with income: 31% of San Diego respondents earning over $150,000 a year reported frequent use of the app. Similar to the Google Maps website, usage of the Google Maps app for real-time traffic and traveler information increased over time. In Dallas, 24% of baseline respondents reported using the Google Maps app at least a few times a week for real-time traffic and traveler information. That proportion increased to 37% at the endline. In San Diego, the increase was less pronounced. Approximately 19% of baseline respondents indicated that they used the app for real-time traffic and traveler information at least a few times a week. Around 23% of endline respondents reported the same usage. Waze Usage of the Waze app for real-time traffic and traveler information was measured only in the Dallas and San Diego endline surveys (not the baseline), so trend analysis is not possible. In Dallas, 55% of endline respondents had never heard of the Waze app, and approximately 12% of respondents reported using Waze at least a few times a week for real-time traffic and traveler information. Waze is more popular amongst younger respondents: 17% of those under 35 and 16% of those aged 35 to 44 use Waze at least a few times a week, while only 8% of those 45 to 54 and 5% of those aged 55 or older use Waze at least a few times a week. With respect to education level, 71% of those with less than a college education had never heard of Waze that proportion was lower for respondents who had attained higher levels of education. In terms of usage, Waze was slightly more popular amongst respondents who had received graduate degrees. There were relatively few differences in awareness or usage of Waze across the income levels in Dallas. Similar to the Dallas findings, approximately 57% of San Diego respondents had never heard of the Waze app, and approximately 9% of respondents reported using Waze at least a few times a week for real-time traffic and traveler information. There is more awareness of Waze amongst the younger age groups and also slightly more usage amongst those under 45 compared to those 45 or older (14% at least a few times per week vs. 5%). There did not appear to be significant differences by education level. With respect to income, respondents in lower income households

10 were more likely than their counterparts to have never heard of the Waze app. Approximately 66% of those earning less than $50,000 a year reported never hearing of Waze, compared to 49% of those earning over $150,000 annually. In terms of usage, Waze was slightly more popular amongst those earning over $150,000 annually. TABLE 2: Differences by Age in the Use of Information Devices and Sources Frequent use of: Dallas Age Groups San Diego Age Groups 332 < < Television 15% 32% 38% 38% 25% 21% 28% 31% 334 Radio 46% 59% 71% 72% 50% 40% 51% 57% Electronic Signs 61% 63% 60% 67% 54% 50% 49% 56% Smartphones 73% 66% 48% 43% 69% 56% 44% 32% 335 Desktop/Laptop 26% 33% 22% 20% 28% 19% 18% 22% TV/Radio Sites 23% 27% 17% 33% 9% 12% 18% 14% 336 Google Maps Site 55% 40% 24% 24% 42% 25% 20% 12% Google Maps App 52% 47% 26% 24% 42% 27% 20% 12% 337 Waze 18% 16% 8% 5% 15% 12% 6% 5% 338 Frequency of Consulting Corridor Information A separate question explored travelers use of information specific to their morning and afternoon peak hour trips in the US-75 (Dallas) and I-15 (San Diego) corridors. In Dallas, about one half of respondents in both the baseline and the endline surveys nearly always (at least a few times a week) or always (every trip) check real-time traffic and traveler information for their morning weekday commutes on US-75 (46% and 52%, respectively). For afternoon peak trips, approximately 39% of baseline respondents frequently (always or nearly always) check real-time information, and this increased significantly to 51%, in the endline. In San Diego, a smaller proportion, 36% of baseline respondents report nearly always or always checking real-time information during their I-15 morning commutes, and the findings were consistent over time (37% endline). Similarly, one-third of respondents reported consulting information always or nearly always for their afternoon peak hour trips (29% baseline and 32% endline). From a demographic perspective, younger Dallas respondents (18 to 34 years old) are somewhat less likely than older groups to frequently (always or nearly always) consult real time information (45% vs 62% for year olds, 52% for 45 to 54 year olds and 49% for 55+ year olds), as measured in the endline survey. Interestingly, within the 55+ age group, 50% frequently (always or nearly always) checks real-time information, but members of this age group are also more likely to indicate that they never check information (13% vs 6% for all other groups). Lower income groups are also less likely than other income groups to frequently check for information during their morning peak hour trips. Comparing the baseline and endline surveys, the proportion of Dallas respondents who (nearly always or always) scan real-time information in the morning increased for younger respondents, particularly those aged 34-45, males, and those in the highest income group ($150,000+). With respect to afternoon trips, the relationship between age and frequency of information use is not as strong, though the income differences persist, with lower income individuals being less likely to consult information.

11 In San Diego, the only notable demographic difference for morning trips is that younger respondents are somewhat more likely than older groups to frequently consult information. This difference was not apparent in the baseline data, but the proportion of respondents under age 34 who always or nearly always check real-time information in the morning increased over the course of the survey waves. For afternoon trips, respondents aged 55+ appear to utilize information less frequently, as 19% never check information, compared to approximately 11% of other age groups. The highest income group ($150,000+) also shows a slightly greater tendency (compared to the lowest income group) to frequently check information, a finding consistent with the baseline. Males are also more likely than females to frequently consult information for afternoon trips. The survey also measured the travel characteristics of respondents peak hour trips, so it is possible to analyze frequency of information use by these attributes. More specifically, respondents were asked how frequently they experience severe traffic congestion during their peak hour trips almost every trip, frequently (at least a few times per week), occasionally (a few days per month), rarely (less than once a month) or never. Respondents were also asked to report the time it takes to make their peak trip on a typical day. These responses were coded into four buckets less than 20 minutes, minutes, 30 to 39 minutes and 40 or more minutes. Respondents who experience traffic congestion the most frequently are significantly more likely to always consult real-time traffic information. This relationship is consistent in both the baseline and endline surveys, as well as for both morning and afternoon trips. Looking at morning peak hour trips (endline survey) in Dallas, among respondents who experience severe congestion on almost every trip, 61% frequently (always or nearly always) check information, compared to 27% for those who rarely experience severe congestion. In San Diego, among those who always experience severe congestion on their morning trips, 48% frequently consult real time information, compared to 32% who rarely experience congestion. In Dallas, respondents who have longer travel times on US-75 are also more likely than those with shorter trips to always check travel information for their morning peak hour trips. Sixty-one percent of those who travel 40 minutes or more on US-75 frequently (always or nearly always) consult information, compared to 51% for those who travel 30 to 39 minutes, 55% for those who travel 20 to 29 minutes, and 40% for those who travel fewer than 20 minutes. In San Diego, the same relationship between travel time on I-15 and frequency of consulting information was found. Among those who travel 40 or minutes for their morning trips, 47% frequently consult information compared to 43% of those who travel 30 to 39 minutes, 37% for those who travel 20 to 29 minutes and 30% for those who travel less than twenty minutes. For afternoon peak hour trips, the same relationship is found in San Diego, whereas in Dallas, the relationship is weaker.

12 TABLE 3: Frequency of Consulting Real-Time Information, by Travel Characteristics (% who frequently consult real-time information) Dallas San Diego Morning Afternoon Morning Afternoon All Respondents 52% 51% 37% 32% Frequency of Congestion Almost always 61% 59% 48% 34% Frequently 52% 49% 38% 41% Occasionally 54% 35% 36% 29% Never 27% 14% 32% 16% Travel Time <20 min 40% 42% 30% 25% min 55% 48% 37% 27% min 51% 50% 43% 32% 40+ min 61% 58% 47% 49% Use of Information Devices in the Pulse Surveys During both survey waves (pre-icm and post-icm), recruited respondents were invited to complete brief pulse surveys following an incident in the corridor. The survey contractor monitored incidents in the corridor, and if the incident met the specified criteria, invitations were sent via generally within 8 to 12 hours of the incident. The pulse surveys provide tripspecific data on the information sources that respondents used, if any, before their trip as well as sources used during their trip. In Dallas, sources utilized most often prior to departing in the morning included radio (24% of trips), followed closely by television (18%) and then apps (10%). All other sources, including websites, navigation devices, alerts, social media, phone services, or other people were consulted for fewer than 5% of trips. In the post-icm survey period, there was a modest growth in the usage of apps (4 percentage points), but the use of all other sources remained relatively unchanged. For afternoon peak hour trips, radio was consulted most often prior to departing (19%), followed by apps (10%); whereas use of television, not surprisingly, diminishes significantly (to 1%). All other sources were consulted for fewer than 5% of trips, and for nearly two-thirds of trips (both pre-and post-icm), respondents did not consult any sources pre-trip. Apart from the very modest growth in the use of apps, usage of all other information sources remained stable across the survey waves. When asked about information sources used during their trips, radio again dominates, by even greater margins. Respondents consulted radio during 40% of their morning trips. Apps and electronic highway signs were consulted for about one-tenth of trips (13% and 10%, respectively), while all other sources were consulted for fewer than 5% of trips. The pattern of response was very similar in the post-icm period. In addition, use of real time information during afternoon trips was generally similar to morning trips, although there was a slight decline in the use of radio (from 35% to 29%) and an increase in the use of apps during afternoon trips (from 9% to 16%).

13 In San Diego, television was used most often for pre-trip information in the morning, followed closely by radio, then apps and websites. In the post ICM period, the pattern of response was very similar. For afternoon trips, use of information is very similar to morning trips, with the exception of television usage, which is nearly non-existent in the afternoon. In the morning and afternoon, there was modest growth in the use of apps, such that the use of apps rivals radio. During trips, San Diego respondents relied primarily on radio in both the morning (32%) and afternoon (21%). Other sources were consulted for significantly fewer trips. Respondents consulted apps for 5% of trips and signs for 3% of trips. While there was slight trend toward increased use of signs in the post ICM period, information usage otherwise remained very stable. San Diego respondents indicated that they did not check information for a majority of trips (58% in the morning and 71% in the afternoon).

14 Table 4: Changes in the Use of Information Devices to Acquire Real-Time Information Based on Pulse Surveys Dallas San Diego Pre-Trip During Trip Pre-Trip During Trip Source AM Peak PM Peak AM Peak PM Peak AM PM Peak AM PM Peak Peak Peak Apps Pre-ICM 10% 10% 13% 9% 6% 7% 5% 4% Post-ICM 14% 14% 15% 16% 10% 12% 5% 7% Television Pre-ICM 18% 1% NA NA 16% 1% NA NA Post-ICM 20% 1% NA NA 20% * NA NA Electronic Signs Pre-ICM NA NA 10% 9% NA NA 3% 3% Post-ICM NA NA 8% 7% NA NA 8% 9% Radio Pre-ICM 24% 19% 40% 35% 12% 12% 32% 21% Post-ICM 24% 18% 42% 29% 13% 15% 27% 20% Websites Pre-ICM 3% 4% * * 5% 7% * 1% Post-ICM 1% 5% 1% * 2% 6% * 1% Portable GPS Pre-ICM 3% 4% 3% 5% 2% 2% 2% 1% Post-ICM 3% 6% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% Alerts Pre-ICM * * * * * * * * Post-ICM * 1% * * * * * * Social Media Pre-ICM * 1% 1% * * * * * Post-ICM 3% * 2% * * * * * Phone number Pre-ICM * * * * * * 1% * Post-ICM * * * * * * 1% * Another person Pre-ICM 3% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% Post-ICM 3% 1% 2% 1% * 1% * * Built-in GPS Pre-ICM 1% 2% 1% 2% 2% 1% 2% 2% Post-ICM 2% 1% 2% 1% 2% 3% 2% 3% Other Pre-ICM 1% 1% * 1% * * * * Post-ICM 1% 1% 4% 1% 1% * 1% 1% Did not check Pre-ICM 54% 65% 43% 47% 65% 75% 58% 71% Post-ICM 52% 61% 39% 53% 60% 70% 61% 64% N (Pre-ICM) N (Post-ICM) * denotes <0.5%

15 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS This study examines ATIS customers awareness and use of real-time traffic and traveler information. Specifically, the researchers focus on the physical devices and online resources that travelers have at their disposal. Traveler use of these devices and resources is inspected within demographic groups and across time. Two survey waves as well as pulse surveys in between illustrate that radio continues to be a dominant source of traveler information in both the Dallas US-75 and San Diego I-15 corridors, particularly while travelers are en-route. For morning trips, television rivalled radio as a source of pre-trip information in Dallas, and in San Diego, television was used somewhat more frequently than radio for pre-trip information. Across the two survey waves, the greatest change in the use of devices involved the smartphone. There was substantial growth in the proportion of travelers at both sites using this device at least a few times per week for real-time information. Even at the time of the baseline, many travelers were already making frequent use of smartphones compared to traditional devices such as desktops or laptops. Relatedly, there was a trend toward increased use of apps across both sites (though these results did not always yield statistically significant Pearson chi-square values). In Dallas, the pulse surveys reveal that respondents relied more heavily on apps than on websites, portable navigation devices or alerts, in both the pre- and post-icm survey periods. In San Diego, use of apps and websites was similar in the pre-icm period, but by the post-icm surveys, there was a shift toward increased reliance on apps, relative to websites. For transportation agencies, smartphones present an opportunity to improve traveler decision-making. These agencies should consider incorporating privately-made apps to deliver better travel information to the public. In the baseline and endline surveys, travelers indicated that they were just as likely to frequently use electronic highway signs as radio, with approximately two-thirds of travelers consulting each source at least a few days per week. In the pulse surveys, however, radio was utilized significantly more often than electronic message signs, and in Dallas, respondents used apps for a greater share of trips than they did electronic message signs. With respect to demographic differences in the use of devices and information sources, there were consistent and strong relationships between age and the use of smartphones and apps in both Dallas and San Diego. Younger respondents were significantly more likely to use these devices and sources. By contrast, older respondents were more likely than their younger counterparts to use radio and TV. Future studies should analyze measures beyond typical demographic variables, such as travelers professional and personal commitments, to better identify the factors that motivate their need for information. In Dallas, there were also differences in the patterns of use by education level, with the most educated respondents being less likely to rely on radio and signs, and those with the lowest levels of education being less likely to consult smartphones, but these differences did not yield statistically significant Pearson chi-square values. In addition, there was a strong relationship between the frequency of checking for information and key travel characteristics, such as the amount of traffic congestion and trip time. Not

16 surprisingly, respondents who face traffic congestion more frequently and respondents who have longer trips on the corridor are more likely than their counterparts to frequently consult information. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was funded by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office, in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. The authors would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the local partners in Dallas and San Diego, including Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).

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