REQUIREMENTS SPECIFICATION FOR DMS MESSAGE OPTIMIZATION SOFTWARE TOOL (MOST)

Composing a message for a dynamic message sign (DMS) requires managers and supervisors at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Traffic Management Centers to consider numerous factors. For example, they must consider the content and length of the message as well as memory load for motorists. Following documented guidelines about formatting and phrasing of messages, the requirements for a software system called the DMS Message Optimization Software Tool, or MOST, are discussed. The system is designed to accept input data through a graphical user interface, to allow selection of terms, and to produce a message suitable for display in a DMS. The application automatically applies principles of good message design and allows users to customize their messages. The design of the system follows work done previously in TxDOT Project 0-4023.