{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,6]],"date-time":"2026-04-06T11:53:14Z","timestamp":1775476394245,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,12]],"date-time":"2024-10-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1728691200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Infrastructures"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Effective traffic management is crucial in addressing the growing complexities of urban mobility, and variable message signs (VMSs) play a vital role in delivering real-time information to road users. Despite their widespread application, there is limited comprehensive understanding of how VMS influence user behavior and optimize traffic flow. This systematic literature review aims to address this gap by examining the effectiveness of VMS in shaping user interactions and enhancing traffic management systems. Using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) methodology, a thorough analysis of relevant studies was conducted to identify key factors influencing VMS impact, including message content and characteristics, complementary sources of information, user demographics, VMS location, and users\u2019 reliance on these signs. Additionally, the review explores the implications of displaying non-critical information on VMS and introduces virtual dynamic message signs (VDMSs) as an innovative approach for delivering public traveler information. The study identifies several research gaps, such as the integration of VMS with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies, navigation systems, the need for validation in real-world scenarios, and understanding behavioral responses to non-critical information on VMS. This review highlights the importance of optimizing VMS for improved user engagement and traffic management, providing valuable insights and directions for future research in this evolving field.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/infrastructures9100184","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,14]],"date-time":"2024-10-14T05:47:58Z","timestamp":1728884878000},"page":"184","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":12,"title":["Variable Message Signs in Traffic Management: A Systematic Review of User Behavior and Future Innovations"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"9","author":[{"given":"Paula","family":"Lagoa","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6209-3626","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Teresa","family":"Galv\u00e3o","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"INESC TEC\u2014Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9505-5730","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marta","family":"Campos Ferreira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"INESC TEC\u2014Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,10,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Holzinger, A. 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