A Driving Simulator Study on the Influence of Chevron Alignment Signs on Drivers' Speed Choices on Horizontal Curves
The Chevron Alignment sign in China is a vertical rectangle with a white arrow and border on a blue background, which is different from the Chevrons described in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in the U.S. To develop a practicable and clear guideline for implementing Chevron Alignment signs on China’s highways, it is first necessary to understand the effect of Chevrons on driving behavior in different roadway geometries. Using a driving simulator, this study tests the effect of China’s Chevrons on drivers’ speed on two-lane rural highways at horizontal curves with different roadway geometries. The results showed the significant effect of Chevrons on actual average speed. The function of Chevrons on speed reduction was not significantly affected by curve radius but was statistically affected by curve direction. The speed reduction caused by Chevrons was also significant at the approach of curve, middle of curve and point of tangent. The authors also found the 85th percentile speed was markedly lower when Chevrons were present. Chevrons did not significantly affect drivers’ perceived safe speed. Their presence did prompt drivers to perceive a higher safe speed for sharp curves, as compared with the absence of Chevrons. Hence, regardless of the curve radius, Chevrons at horizontal curves provide advance warning and speed control for traffic on the nearside of Chevrons. Besides, it appears that Chevrons can be used as a supplement to speed limit signs in preventing excessive speed on horizontal curves and therefore might contribute to a reduction in run-off-road crashes. Moreover, China’s Chevrons might also serve to provide an improved sense of safety while driving in sharp curves.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AND10 Vehicle User Characteristics.
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
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Authors:
- Zhao, Xiaohua
- Wu, Yiping
- Rong, Jian
- Ma, Jianming
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC
- Date: 2014-1-12 to 2014-1-16
- Date: 2014
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 18p
- Monograph Title: TRB 93rd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Driving simulators; Highway curves; Highway safety; Rural highways; Traffic signs; Two lane highways; Velocity perception
- Uncontrolled Terms: Chevron markings
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01519683
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 14-1842
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Mar 26 2014 10:07AM