01660325

Component

A simulator study was conducted to experimentally evaluate driver lane selection in complex interchange situations to identify signing characteristics that are related to more-effective lane selection. Complex interchanges typical of the existing field applications were designed, and multiple alternative approaches to guide signing were developed for each interchange layout. The effectiveness of driver decision-making was evaluated in terms of whether drivers made accurate lane choices (i.e., those that lead to arriving at the correct location) and in terms of the potential impacts to safety and efficiency associated with the timing of these decisions and with making unnecessary lane changes due to poor comprehension or inadequate information. The study included a sample of 121 research participants in 3 different geographic areas: Orlando, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Gainesville, Virginia. Participants were found to be very accurate in reaching their destination regardless of the signing approach used. Similarly, participants seemed to understand the signing alternative as, in general, there was an average of less than one unnecessary lane change per interchange. Together, the high accuracy presented by participants and few unnecessary lane changes indicate that drivers tend to understand a series of guide signs leading up to complex interchanges as long as the interchanges are designed consistently and with good signing practices. This study also found that different signing approaches affected where participants tended to make their lane changes, and this information can be useful when designing interchanges as it could have implications on safety and operational issues.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHB50 Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices.

18-05084

English

18p

2018

Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Evaluation; Interchanges; Signs; Simulation

Gainesville (Virginia); Myrtle Beach (South Carolina); Orlando (Florida)

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2018 Paper #18-05084

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 8 2018 11:16AM