Evaluating the effectiveness of speed reduction markings in highway tunnels

Transport

Xiaohong Chen¹  Hongliang Wan¹  Qixiang Yan²  Zhigang Du³ 

[1] Key Laboratory of Road and Traffic Engineering, Tongji University, China;Key Laboratory of Transportation Tunnel Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, China;School of Transportation, Wuhan University of Technology, China

关键词: traffic safety;    highway tunnel;    speed perception;    reaction time;    stimulus of subjectively equal speed;   

DOI  :  10.3846/transport.2018.1574

学科分类：航空航天科学

来源: Vilnius Gedinimas Technical University

【 摘 要 】

As typical weak visual reference systems, highway tunnels have low illumination, monotonous environment and few references, which may cause severe visual illusion and reduce drivers’ speed perception ability. Thus, drivers tend to underestimate their driving speed, which may induce speeding behaviours that result in rear-end collisions. The cost-effective pavement markings installed on both sides of the lane or shoulder may make drivers overestimate their speed. This perception can help ensure safe driving and regulate driving behaviour effectively. This study analyses the effects of sidewall markings in typical low luminance highway tunnels, specifically observing how their angles and lengths affect the driver’s speed perception. A three-dimensional model of highway tunnels was built in a driving simulator. Psychophysical tests of speed perception were carried out by the method of limits. The simulation tests studied the Stimulus of Subjectively Equal Speed (SSES) and reaction time in relation to sidewall markings with different angles. Furthermore, based on the optimal angle, the effects of sidewall marking with different lengths on speed perception were also analysed. The test results reveal that the angle and length of sidewall markings have a significant impact on the driver’s SSES and reaction time. Moreover, the level of speed overestimation decreases with the increase of angle or length of sidewall marking. As the angle of sidewall marking gradually increases, the maximum reaction time first increases and then decreases. Within the angle of sidewall marking of 15°, the subjects have the highest speed overestimation and an easy speed judgment. This may due to Zöllner illusion, the driver’s perception of lane width shrinks may induce deceleration behaviour.

【 授权许可】

CC BY