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Three studies v~Tere found which attempted to measure driver behavior specifically in response. to <br />dynamic signage. Two of these studies demonstrated a potential relationship between dynamic <br />signage and crash rates: <br />Minnesota Department of Transportation, The Effectiveness and Safety of Traffic <br />and Non-Traffic Related Messages Presented on Changeable Message Signs <br />(CMS} (Harder, 2004} 2D <br />This study used a driving simulator to measure the effect of Department of <br />Transportation changeable message signs on traffic flow. The t<~o messages evaluated <br />~~,~ere a "crash ahead" warning and an AMBER Alert (child abduction information). The <br />research found that just over half of the participants used the "crash ahead''' message and <br />60 percent could recall the AMBER Alert with scores of Good or Better.. Over one fifth <br />of the participants slo«~ed down by at least 2 mph upon seeing the AMBER Alert; <br />demonstrating that messages .relevant to drivers are associated with changes in at least <br />some drivers' travel speed , <br />Decision of fhe Outdoor Advertising Board in the Matfer of John Donnelly 8~ Sons, <br />Permifee, Telespof of New England, -nc., /nfervenor, -and Deparfinent of Public <br />Works, Infervenor, with Respect fo Permif Numbered 19260 as Amended (1976} 2, <br />This proceeding documents the Common~vealth of Massachusetts Outdoor Advertising <br />Board's ruling regarding one of the first changeable signs. This sign was located near an <br />arterial road in Boston and used magnetic discs to portray a message that changed every <br />30 seconds. The original sign permit was rejected based on four criteria; one of v,~hich <br />was safety. Upon appeal; the Massachusetts Department of Public `Works allowed the <br />permit based on the fact that the sign would give the public a benefit. However, they <br />ultimately detennu~ed that the sign was a safet)~ hazard based on crash rates before and <br />after the sign was installed. Tables 5 and 6 show the change u1 crash rates. <br />.Table ~. Telespot Sign Cras1~. Rates - Exp7•ess}a~ay Soutl~.bound <br />Average Average A~>erage <br />per year per year . percent <br />(1/1/1970- (1/1/1973- Chan6e <br />12/31/1972) 3/31/1975 <br />Crashes where I -31.0 <br />the sign was viewable 2'9.0 20.0 <br />(north of sign <br />Crashes where -60.0 <br />the sign was not eiewable 39.0 15.6 <br />(south of sign) <br />~~~ <br />-224- <br />