Project. Callbox evaluation  Completed

Principal investigator. Dr. Ken Button, George Mason, 703-993-4647, kbutton@gmu.edu

External contact. James Robinson, VDOT, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 804-786-6677

Project objective. To support VDOT in its effort to evaluate the effectiveness of its pilot project of callboxes along the Dulles tollroad.

Project abstract. State-maintained call boxes along highways can assist motorists under a number of circumstances, including vehicle break-downs, accidents, being lost, seeking directions, and seeking information about traveler services, such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. At the same time, operations and maintenance are a significant expense, aggravated by vandalism and bad weather. Call boxes have been deployed on both a pilot and a semi-permanent basis in a variety of jurisdictions, including the Dulles tollroad in Northern Virginia, but it is still not obvious when call boxes are justified, and what services they should offer. This uncertainty is increased by the rapid spread of cell phones in automobiles.

This project is to be carried out in close coordination with the Virginia Department of Transportation, and is designed to evaluate a pilot deployment by VDOT of call boxes along the Dulles tollroad. The project will have the following phases: an initial literature search and review (including a survey of state DOTs) focused on evaluation of currently and formerly deployed call box systems; formulation, distribution, collection and tabulation of initial questionnaire; distribution, collection and analysis of a follow-up and final questionnaire; expert interviews of relevant traffic and transportation operators in the region; and a final evaluation report. The focus of the research will be on motorists' perceptions of the value of call boxes along this road

Tasks. 1) Preparation, distribution, and analysis of benchmark survey. 2) Literature review, including phone interviews, of similar projects managed by other state DOTs. 3) Expert interviews of VDOT and other transportation operatives in the Northern Virginia area, regarding the implementation of the callboxes. 4) Preparation, distribution, and analysis of survey following the establishment of callboxes; completion of final report.

Milestones. Completion of task 1 by August 30, 2000. Completion of task 2 by Dec. 31, 2000. Completion of task 3 by spring, 2001. Completion of project by June 30, 2001.

Student involvement. One GRA is charged with the overall administrative responsibilities for carrying out the distribution and collations of the surveys.

Budget.   $6,000

Relationship to other research projects. No immediate relationship.

Technology transfer. The results of the project will be made available to VDOT, which is expected to use them in determining whether to deploy callboxes elsewhere in the Commonwealth.

Potential benefits. This is a specific evaluation project, designed to ascertain whether this investment was a wise use of state money. It will help guide VDOT in making additional such expenditures.

TRB keywords. ITS, evaluation