EFFECTS OF INTERSECTION GEOMETRICS ON DRIVER PERFORMANCE

The results of a study to determine the effects of intersection geometrics on driver performance are presented in this paper. The specific geometric features evaluated were: (1) the offset between opposing left-turn lanes, (2) the degree of right-turn lane channelization, and (3) the right-turn curb radii. The study involved the observation of left-turn and right-turn maneuvers of 200 test subjects at 11 signalized intersections with differences in the geometric features of interest. The 200 subjects were nearly equal numbers of male and female drivers in three age groups: (1) 25 to 45 years, (2) 65 to 74 years, and (3) 75 years and older. The results of the research indicated that left-turn lane offsets of zero or larger are particularly beneficial to older drivers. Also, the right-turn performance of older drivers was found to be less sensitive than that of younger drivers to the differences in right-turn lane channelization, and the effects of right-turn curb radii was similar for all age groups. Therefore, the performance of older drivers at signalized intersections would be benefitted most by increasing the offset between opposing left-turn lanes.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec003/toc.pdf
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Supplemental Notes:
  • The proceedings have been edited by the Texas Transportation Institute, Texas A&M University System, College Station, Texas. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Tarawneh, M S
  • Rifaey, T
  • McCoy, P T
• Conference:
  • International Symposium on Highway Geometric Design Practices
  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts
  • Date: 1995-8-30 to 1995-9-1
• Publication Date: 1998-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 30:1-10
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: E-C003
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age; Aged drivers; Channelized intersections; Drivers; Geometric design; Human subject testing; Intersections; Left turn lanes; Offset intersections; Performance; Right turn lanes; Turning radius
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00794687
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: E-C003
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 12 2000 12:00AM