2013 Session: 544

• Examination of Distracted Driving and Yellow Light-Running: Analysis of Simulator Data
  Abstract: Driving on an approach to a signalized intersection while distracted is particularly dangerous, as potential vehicular conflicts and resulting angle collisions tend to be severe. Given the prevalence and importance of this particular scenario, the decisions and actions of distracted drivers during the onset of yellow lights are the focus of this study. Driving simulator data were obtained from a sample of 58 drivers under baseline and handheld mobile phone conditions at the University of Iowa - National Advanced Driving Simulator. Explanatory variables included age, gender, cell phone use, distance to stop-line, and speed. Although there is extensive research on drivers’ responses to yellow traffic signals, the examination has been conducted from a traditional regression-based approach, which does not necessary provide the underlying relations and patterns among the sampled data. In this paper, we exploit the benefits of both classical statistical inference and data mining techniques to identify the a priori relationships among main effects, non-linearities, and interaction effects. Results suggest that novice (16-17 years) and young drivers’ (18-25 years) have heightened yellow light running risk while distracted by a cell phone conversation. Driver experience captured by age has a multiplicative effect with distraction, making the combined effect of being inexperienced and distracted particularly risky. Overall, distracted drivers across most tested groups tend to reduce the propensity of yellow light running as the distance to stop line increases, exhibiting risk compensation on a critical driving situation.
  Authors: Haque, Md. Mazharul; Ohlhauser, Amanda D.; Washington, Simon; Boyle, Linda Ng
  Authors: Haque, Md. Mazharul; Ohlhauser, Amanda D.; Washington, Simon; Boyle, Linda Ng
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 544
  Paper Number: 13-1710
• Effects of Chevron Alignment Signs on Driver Visual Perception, Manipulating Behavior, and Psychological Reactions
  Abstract: In China, Chevron Alignment signs (a vertical rectangle with a white arrow and border on a blue background) have been widely used on roadway horizontal curves to provide advance warning and positive guidance through curves. Chevron Alignment signs are retroreflective guidance devices installed near roadway edges indicating roadway alignment. But the effects of the Chevron Alignment signs on drivers¡¯ visual perception, manipulating behavior and psychological reactions have rarely been studied. Few guidelines have been established for the size and application of Chevron signs in China. Based on driving simulation experiments, drivers¡¯ eye movement, manipulating behavior and psychological conditions data were simultaneously collected for two scenarios: driving through a horizontal curve with and without Chevron Alignment signs. A comparative analysis was conducted to examine the changes in drivers¡¯ visual perception, manipulating behavior and psychological reactions. The results show that drivers pay more attention to the roadside near Chevrons; they are also more relaxed, tending to drop their speed more when Chevrons are present. This finding indicates that Chevron Alignment signs do provide advance warnings, positive guidance and make drivers tend to drop speed more through curves, improving the safety and uniformity in curve delineation on urban expressway ramps.
  Authors: Wu, Yiping; Zhao, Xiaohua; Rong, Jian; Ma, Jianming
  Authors: Wu, Yiping; Zhao, Xiaohua; Rong, Jian; Ma, Jianming
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 544
  Paper Number: 13-3568
• Measuring Impact of Digital Information Displays on Speed: Driving Simulator Study
  Abstract: Speeding is a major problem in today’s society and is estimated to contribute to about 30 percent of all fatal crashes. The primary objective of this study is to examine the impact of digital information displays on speeding behavior at 70km/h to 50km/h transition zones. Two real world locations with a high percentage of speeding violations are rebuilt as realistic as possible in a driving simulator. Sixty-six participants completed an 18.9km trip within a randomized between (location: A, B) – within (condition: no display or one of three display messages: smiley, “You are speeding! / Thank you” or “Speed control”) subjects design. The first two messages are social approval/disapproval messages, while the “Speed control” message confronts drivers with the (financial) risk of receiving a fine (i.e. a deterring message).Results show a significant speed reduction effect of the three digital messages compared to the control condition from 50m before the digital display until 100m after the digital display. The largest mean deceleration was also located between 50m and 25m before the digital display. The speed reduction effect of the “You are speeding / Thank you” and “Speed control” messages lasted until 175m after the digital display. Overall, the “Speed control” condition was found to be most effective (both in terms of size as in terms of distance) in reducing speed. However, 500 meters after the devices no significant speed reduction was measured anymore. These results imply that a deterring message is more effective in reducing speed compared to the approving/disapproving messages.
  Authors: Ariën, Caroline; Cornu, Joris; Brijs, Kris; Brijs, Tom; Vanroelen, Giovanni; Jongen, Ellen M.M.; Daniels, Stijn; Wets, Geert
  Authors: Ariën, Caroline; Cornu, Joris; Brijs, Kris; Brijs, Tom; Vanroelen, Giovanni; Jongen, Ellen M.M.; Daniels, Stijn; Wets, Geert
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 544
  Paper Number: 13-3701
• Relationships Among Road Geometry, Drivers’ Risk Perception, and Speed Choice: Experimental Study
  Abstract: This paper presents the results of an experimental trial conducted on a population of 64 road users. Test participants drove a vehicle equipped with GPS on an oval racetrack. The GPS system returned the position and the speed of the vehicle. The objectives of this study are to analyze1) the correlation between risk and the speed perceived by the drivers, 2) the influence of the geometric layout on the perceived risk, 3) the influence of the familiarity with the environment on the perceived risk, 4) the analytical perception of the speed. Test participants were recruited to drive the test track for a total of 18 laps. The population demographics have been identified through a questionnaire. Three different scenarios have been conducted during the experimental trials. The scenarios consisted of different driving instructions given to the drivers, namely 1) the adoption of three vehicle speeds indicated qualitatively (low, medium, high) with no real time information to the driver about the speed, 2) the adoption of three speeds indicated quantitatively with no real time information to the driver about the speed, 3) the adoption of three speeds indicated qualitatively (i.e., using a low, medium and high level of safety) with real time information on the speed to the driver. The study permitted to identify a correlation between risk perception and drivers’ familiarity with the test track. The test also showed the relationship between speeds and perceived risk and the relationship between speed and the geometric layout of the racetrack.
  Authors: Colonna, Pasquale; Aquilino, Rita Alessandra; Berloco, Nicola; Ranieri, Vittorio
  Authors: Colonna, Pasquale; Aquilino, Rita Alessandra; Berloco, Nicola; Ranieri, Vittorio
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 544
  Paper Number: 13-4373
• Effects of Chevron Alignment Signs on Driver Visual Perception, Manipulating Behavior, and Psychological Reactions
  Authors: Wu, Yiping
  Authors: Wu, Yiping
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 544
  Paper Number: 13-3568
• Measuring Impact of Digital Information Displays on Speed: Driving Simulator Study
  Authors: Ariën, Caroline
  Authors: Ariën, Caroline
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors
  Session: 544
  Paper Number: 13-3701