This report takes a guided systematic approach to the selection of Changeable Message Signs (CMSs), and it supports CMS operators who construct and choose CMS messages for nonrecurring events. The CMS operators developed that systematic approach based on results of experiments that aimed at exploring specific CMS messages that are most likely to influence traveler behavior. This report includes several nonrecurring event examples and variations of the course of action to choose CMS messages. The report also includes circumstances when multiple messages may be equally valuable to drivers.

This report might be of interest to traffic management center operators, agency leadership, transportation engineers and researchers, and others who share an interest in promoting safe and efficient traffic flow.

Recommended citation: Federal Highway Administration, A Systematic Approach on CMS Messaging Selection During Nonrecurring Events: Decision Tree
(Washington, DC: 2024) https://doi.org/10.21949/1521584