In Phoenix, Arizona, an evaluation of website traveler information found that 16 percent of surveyed respondents thought the web site information was useful.
Date Posted
09/21/2000
Identifier
2007-B00380
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Phoenix Metropolitan Model Deployment Initiative Evaluation Report

Summary Information

This report contains the evaluation results for three projects undertaken during the Metropolitan Model Deployment Initiative in Phoenix, Arizona (collectively known as AZTech). Investigators noted that Phoenix does not generally experience the severe levels of congestion common in some other metropolitan areas; this could be a contributing factor to the minimal benefit achieved by some of the implemented systems. The authors particularly noted that the freeway system provides numerous alternate routes for avoiding incidents that might occur on a traveler’s intended route. Evaluation efforts determined customer satisfaction with two Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) deployed during the project and the impacts of coordinated signal control on delay, safety, and the environment.

Evaluation results for ATIS included in the report present an assessment of customer satisfaction with the publicly operated Trailmaster web site and the Traffic Check cable TV traffic information service. Both the web site and television channel provided information on travel conditions on Phoenix area roadways by integrating data from the freeway management system and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Roadway Closure and Restriction System.

FINDINGS

Analysis of web site usage statistics indicated that the number of visits to the traveler information web site increased steadily during the evaluation period at a rate of 50 percent per year; evaluators expected this trend to continue. Overall, usage levels for the Phoenix web site were significantly lower than those experienced in Seattle, where traffic congestion is a more significant problem (as reported in the Seattle MMDI report). Two focus group studies revealed Phoenix area travelers felt that congestion levels were not high enough to warrant frequent use of the site. Users did find the site helpful in assessing delays due to construction. Participants felt that the addition of congestion information for arterial roadways would make the site more useful. Overall, 16 percent of respondents rated the Internet service as "Useful."

Deployment Locations