ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FROM THE OPERATION OF VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS IN THE ROAD NETWORK

摘要

Variable message signs are devices installed along the roadside in order to display messages to the drivers. Messages refer to a large number of subjects including traffic congestion, incidents, e.g. road accidents, working zones, speed limits, etc. Apart from the benefits for the traffic there are also benefits for the environment. These benefits include, among other, emissions' reduction and energy consumption. In the framework of this paper the environmental dimension of these telematic systems, based on various case studies abroad, is presented. In addition, the role these applications play in the confrontation of traffic and associated environmental problems is evaluated.