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Citation |
Song M, Wang JH, Maier-Speredelozzi V. J. Transp Inst. Transp. Eng. 2011; 2(1): 71-89. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2011) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Tailgating is a dangerous driving behavior and is a leading cause of rear-end crashes. Understanding tailgating situations on highways and exploring means to mitigate tailgating behavior is a priority to many urban traffic management authorities. A three-part study was conducted to investigate the tailgating issue and possible counter-tailgating measures. To assess the causes and effects of tailgating and its impact on urban highway traffic, the study started with a questionnaire survey and a vehicle headway analysis. The questionnaire survey was launched to find the leading causes of tailgating and to identify drivers' perceptions on tailgating behavior. Most of the participating drivers identified heavy traffic as the top tailgating cause, and most felt that they had been affected by tailgaters and had reacted in some way. The survey also found that 94.8 percent of participating drivers had an incorrect sense regarding proper vehicle headway and thus tailgated when driving on highways. A vehicle headway analysis was next conducted by examining vehicle headways on specific segments of urban highways in Rhode Island, USA. It was found that more than 60 percent of vehicles were tailgating during rush hours and about 40 percent during non-rush hours. The findings confirmed that serious tailgating was present on urban Rhode Island highways. To advise drivers and mitigate their tailgating behaviors, counter-tailgating measures such as advisory signs and educational videos were then developed. The effectiveness of these measures was assessed through a driving simulation experiment. It was found that tailgating behavior could be limited when advisory signs were posted along highways. The effect was even more pronounced if the subject viewed the educational video prior to the simulation. Participants' driving behaviors were further investigated through a field study. Most participants found it difficult to maintain a safe following distance in a real driving environment, since there is currently no measure employed to treat tailgating behaviors. Based on the results, it is recommended that the proposed counter-tailgating measures be adopted into a more sophisticated tailgating treatment system. Language: en |