Impact of the proliferation of smart devices on the usefulness of Changeable Message Signs (CMS)

Changeable Message Signs (CMS) have been used over the years on many highways in the U.S. to communicate real-time travel information to drivers. Likewise, smart devices such as smartphones and other internet-able devices, which have become popular in recent years, can also provide drivers with real-time travel information. Since the CMSs have been employed as early as the 1950s, it is essential to understand if drivers still perceive them as a useful source of travel information. Therefore, this study assessed whether the proliferation of smart devices supplants the use of CMS. To achieve this, data were collected by an online survey conducted in Michigan. Descriptive statistics and a multinomial logistic regression model were performed. Results show that drivers are 2.17 times more likely to rely on the CMS when looking for incident management information than smart devices. Also, older drivers (60 years and above) are 2.39 times more likely to use the CMS than smart devices compared to young/middle-aged drivers. Drivers who prefer to use CMS are 1.83 times more likely to state that the time displayed by CMS is reliable and accurate than drivers who use smart devices as their source of information. Further, drivers who prefer using CMS are 1.53 times more likely to notice a CMS on their trips than those who prefer using smart devices. These findings possess practical implications for transportation agencies, providing valuable guidance when strategizing the implementation of CMS.