The City of Copenhagen, a MegaBITS’ Project Partner, is investigating cyclists’ perception of Variable Message Signs (VMS) by conducting on-street questionnaires.
Copenhagen’s VMS are designed to inform cyclists about disruptions to their regular routes. This includes planned activities (such as events), unforeseen incidents (like road closures or accidents), rush hours, and similar situations. The 18 signs are placed on poles in proximity to bicycle infrastructure and can display messages tailored to various traffic conditions, with 29 ready-made messages currently available. The goal of MegaBITS’ Flagship project is to find out how to inform cyclists through VMS units, in a way that enables them to change routes during trips, enhancing the cycling experience and safety while supporting improved traffic management plans.
To evaluate VMS’ functionality and perception by cyclists, the city has started two questionnaire studies, developed in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology, the MegaBITS’ Project Partner responsible for evaluations. The studies’ goal is to to better comprehend cyclists’ understanding and interaction with the signs, in order to improve the performance and effect of the VMS units.
Two types of questionnaire studies are being carried out: one evaluating an event message and the other a congestion message. Both follow the same approach: messages are shown to cyclists via VMS units, and cyclists at selected crossings are then invited to participate in a brief, five-question survey, conducted face-to-face by an interviewer.
This initiative is providing Copenhagen with valuable insights into how cyclists perceive real-time messages. Each study targets 500 participants, enough for a 99–99.9% confidence level, based on the city’s population and high bicycle access. These findings will help improve cyclists information and contribute to the MegaBITS project by offering new research on the role of VMS in creating safer, more efficient urban mobility.