Abstract:Travel time displayed by variable message signs (VMS) is an effective way to release freeway congestion. This paper presents a simulation system for analyzing guidance benefit of travel time displayed by VMS. Taking a network with two origins and two destinations as an example, simulation results show that travel time displayed by VMS can release incident significantly, and guidance benefits improve obviously along with information concerned rates. This simulation system is effective for designing and evaluating traffic control strategies, and providing a basis for decision-making and references to relevant departments to improve the operational efficiency of freeway networks.