Variable message signs (VMS) are electronic signage systems that display real-time traffic information to drivers to mitigate congestion and reduce travel time. We propose a heterogeneous VMS location problem based on a stochastic model of accidents on a freeway network. We consider both gantry and cantilever mounted VMS that displays both passive and active real-time messages. The problem is formulated as a two-stage stochastic programming model. The first-stage model determines the location and type of VMS installation. The second stage evaluates the performance of VMS location solutions by minimizing travelers’ travel time and the penalty for misleading guidance. The model is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem that can be solved using the Benders decomposition (BD) algorithm. The Nguyen-Dupuis and Sioux-Fall networks are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed models. We believe this study will provide practical guidance to freeway administrators.

可变信息标志 (VMS) 是一种电子标牌系统，可向驾驶员显示实时交通信息，以缓解拥堵并缩短行程时间。我们提出了一个基于高速公路网络事故随机模型的异构 VMS 定位问题。我们考虑同时显示被动和主动实时消息的龙门和悬臂安装 VMS。该问题被表述为两阶段随机规划模型。第一阶段模型确定 VMS 安装的位置和类型。第二阶段通过最小化旅行者的旅行时间和误导性指导的惩罚来评估 VMS 定位解决方案的性能。该模型被表述为一个混合整数线性规划 (MILP) 问题，可以使用 Benders 分解 (BD) 算法来解决。Nguyen-Dupuis 和 Sioux-Fall 网络用于验证所提出模型的有效性。我们相信这项研究将为高速公路管理者提供实用的指导。