ABSTRACT
Variable Message Signs (VMS) that inform drivers of adverse weather conditions have recently been attracting the attention of researchers. The analysis of accident rates and severities and the impacts of installing VMS signs on Scottish trunk roads have been investigated utilising a number of statistics. Firstly, accidents rates have been investigated; secondly, a comparison of before and after accidents rates at each site has then been undertaken. An estimate of the effectiveness of the VMS installation has been also made. A chi-squared test has been performed to investigate the before and after, difference variations in accidents data. This chapter investigates impacts of VMS on accident rates and severities on Scottish trunk roads. A before and after analysis of accidents at 14 selected VMS sites in Central and North-East Scotland is presented. The study focuses on VMS signs across four major trunk roads in Scotland that were installed after 2000 plus four control sites.
