Effect of road surface deformations on lateral lane utilization and longitudinal driving behaviours

Aydin, Metin Mutlu; Topal, Ali · 2016 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.3846/16484142.2016.1193049

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Summary

This study investigates the impact of road surface deformations on lateral lane utilization and longitudinal driving behaviors, addressing a gap in previous research that largely focused on traffic flow capacity rather than specific vehicle positioning and driver responses. The authors aim to determine how deformations influence drivers' lane selection, lateral positioning, and speed adjustments. The research was motivated by the prevalence of surface defects such as potholes, rutting, and speed bumps, which are known to cause accidents, increase vehicle operating costs, and reduce road serviceability. Data were collected on a two-lane arterial road at the Tinaztepe Campus in Izmir, Turkey, across four distinct deformation zones (DZ-1 to DZ-4) characterized by varying types, depths, and widths. Lateral position data for 697 vehicles were obtained through video recordings analyzed using screen scaling software to determine the lateral positions of right and left wheels. To assess lateral lane utilization, the authors applied chi-square goodness-of-fit tests to compare observed wheel position distributions against a theoretical normal distribution, which represents ideal lane-centering behavior. Additionally, longitudinal driving behaviors, including speed, acceleration, and deceleration, were monitored using GPS devices installed in five vehicles driven by different drivers over 18 laps. The results indicate that road surface deformations significantly disrupt the normal distribution of lateral vehicle positions, though the extent of disruption depends on the deformation's geometry. Deformations with wider areas and less depth, such as those in DZ-1, had a minimal effect on lateral lane utilization, with vehicle positions largely fitting a normal distribution. In contrast, deeper or more extensive deformations, particularly in DZ-2, DZ-3, and DZ-4, caused significant deviations from normal distribution. For instance, in DZ-4, which featured a partial speed bump, drivers actively avoided the deformed left lane, shifting traffic to the right lane and resulting in non-normal lateral distributions. The study also found that driver characteristics, such as perception and aggressiveness, were the primary factors influencing longitudinal behaviors like speed reduction and acceleration changes when traversing these zones. The significance of this research lies in its detailed quantification of how specific geometric properties of road defects influence driver behavior. By demonstrating that deformation depth and width are critical determinants of lateral lane utilization, the study provides empirical evidence for pavement management and road safety assessments. The findings suggest that while minor deformations may not significantly alter traffic flow patterns, more severe defects force drivers to alter their lateral positioning and longitudinal speeds, potentially impacting traffic efficiency and safety. This contributes to a better understanding of the interaction between road infrastructure conditions and driver decision-making processes.

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Topics

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• work zones
• perceptual countermeasures
• traffic density
• lane positioning
• speed choice

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: behavioral performance data