The Impact of Perceptual Road Markings on Driving Behavior in Horizontal Curves: A Driving Simulator Study
DOI: 10.3390/app15084584
archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified
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Summary
This study addresses the persistent safety challenges associated with horizontal curves, which are frequent sites for traffic crashes due to drivers’ difficulties in perceiving curve geometry and adjusting speed appropriately. Motivated by high crash rates on rural roads, particularly in the EU, the research investigates the efficacy of innovative, low-cost perceptual road markings as countermeasures. The specific interventions tested include a red-white pattern edge line (RWE), a solid red edge line (RE), an alternating red-white checkered median stripe (RWM), and red dragon’s teeth (RDT). The primary objective was to determine how these visual cues influence driver behavior, specifically regarding speed, acceleration, and lateral positioning, compared to standard unmarked conditions. The experimental design utilized a fixed-based driving simulator (STISIM Drive® 3) to ensure a controlled environment free from real-world hazards. Fifty-two volunteers with valid driving licenses participated, though data from five were excluded due to simulation sickness or outlier behavior, leaving 47 participants for analysis. The simulation featured four distinct routes comprising twelve horizontal curves with radii of 125 m and 350 m, in both left and right directions. Each participant navigated 20 randomized scenarios, combining the two curve radii, two directions, and five marking conditions (including a control group with standard white lines). Road designs adhered to Flemish Road Agency guidelines. Data collection focused on driving speed, lateral position, and acceleration/deceleration metrics, which were analyzed using within-subjects repeated measures ANOVA with Greenhouse–Geisser corrections. The results demonstrated that the tested perceptual markings generally reduced driving speeds and improved vehicle control, thereby enhancing safety. Specifically, the red-white checkered median stripe (RWM) was found to significantly improve lateral positioning, helping drivers maintain better lane discipline through curves. Conversely, the red dragon’s teeth (RDT) markings minimized deceleration before entering curves, suggesting they may help drivers maintain momentum more effectively, although this effect was less pronounced for curves with larger radii (350 m). The study confirmed that these visual interventions successfully altered driver behavior in the desired direction, with specific markings offering distinct advantages in lateral control versus speed management. The significance of this research lies in its provision of evidence-based guidance for road designers and policymakers seeking cost-effective safety interventions. By identifying which specific markings yield the best behavioral outcomes, the study supports the implementation of targeted perceptual countermeasures to mitigate crash risks on horizontal curves. The findings suggest that a combination of markings, such as using median stripes for lateral control and edge lines for speed reduction, could optimize safety outcomes. This contributes to the broader field of traffic engineering by validating the use of driving simulators for testing nuanced road design elements and highlighting the importance of visual cues in shaping driver perception and behavior.
Provenance
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| Stage | Outcome | Tool | Model | Prompt | Attempts | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| discover | success | Crossref | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-07 |
| archive | success | canonical_url | — | — | 7 | 2026-06-09 |
| extract | success | cached | — | — | 2 | 2026-06-10 |
| clean | success | clean | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-09 |
| chunk | success | chunk | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-09 |
| embed | success | embed | Qwen/Qwen3-Embedding-8B | — | 1 | 2026-06-09 |
| promote | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-07 |
| summarize | success | llm | qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant | summ-v5 | 1 | 2026-06-10 |
| tag | success | vector_similarity | — | — | 8 | 2026-06-11 |
| verify | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-10 |
Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.
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- Empirical Findings: behavioral performance data
- Methodological Resource: tool software, validation psychometrics