Citation

Zhao X, Ding H, Lin Z, Ma J, Rong J. Accid. Anal. Prev. 2018; 115: 41-52.

Affiliation

Beijing Engineering Research Center of Urban Transport Operation Guarantee, College of Metropolitan Transportation, Beijing University of Technology, No. 100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100124, PR China. Electronic address: jrong@bjut.edu.cn.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.aap.2018.02.027

PMID

29544136

Abstract

Longitudinal speed reduction markings (LSRMs) are designed to alert drivers to an upcoming change in roadway geometry (e.g. direct connectors with smaller radii). In Beijing, LSRMs are usually installed on direct connectors of urban expressways. The objective of this paper is to examine the influence of LSRMs on vehicle operation and driver behavior, and evaluate the decelerating effectiveness of LSRMs on direct connectors with different radii. Empirical data were collected in a driving simulator, and indicators representing vehicle operation status and driving behavior were proposed. To examine the influence of LSRMs, an analysis segment was defined, which begins 500 m prior to the entering point of the connector and ends at the exiting point of the connector. Furthermore, the analysis segment was evenly divided into a series of subsections; the length of each subsection is 50 m. This definition is introduced based on the assumption that drivers would decelerate smoothly in advance of the connector. The analysis results show that drivers tend to decelerate earlier when the radii were 200 m or 300 m. When approaching the connector, drivers tend to decelerate at 500 m thru 250 m in advance of the connector with a 200 m radius; deceleration happens at 300 m-0 m in advance of the connector with a 300 m radius. On the connector, drivers controlled the throttle pedal use at 100 thru 300 m after the entering point when the radius was 200 m; deceleration occurred in two regions when the radius was 300 m: 0 m-900 m from the entering point, and the last 1,000 m of the connector. The analytical results further revealed that LSRMs would be effective at reducing speeds when the radius of the direct connector was 300 m.

Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

Direct connector; Driving simulation; Effectiveness; Longitudinal speed reduction markings; Traffic safety