Citation

Song M, Wang JH. J. Transp. Res. Forum 2010; 49(3): 69-86.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Transportation Research Forum)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes a human factors study that investigated issues related to tailgating (close following) and possible treatments for reducing tailgating. A vehicle headway analysis and a driver survey were conducted in Rhode Island. Vehicle headways were collected from highway surveillance videos. Significant tailgating issues were identified on Rhode Island highways, with over 61% of vehicle tailgating during rush hour. Tailgating was most significant in innermost lanes. The survey results confirmed the observations made in the vehicle headway analysis that most Rhode Island drivers maintained insufficient vehicle headways on highways. The majority of respondents indicated that they did not know the proper vehicle headway. Among the proposed treatments, the majority of respondents preferred a system consisting of equally spaced, white horizontal bars marked on pavement and overhead graphic-aided dynamic message signs to advise drivers about safe following distances. A follow-up study to test the tailgating treatment system is planned.

Keywords: Close following; Drivers; Following distance; Headways; Highway safety; Human factors; Road markings; Surveys; Tailgating; Traffic safety; Traffic surveillance; Variable message signs