THE EFFECT OF DRIVER BEHAVIOUR ON MOTORWAY RELIABILITY

The motorway transport system possesses an internal control mechanism that governs the stability of traffic flow in the presence of vehicle speed fluctuations. When traffic density exceeds a limit value, the control mechanism enters into crisis and flow becomes unstable. This paper describes an analysis of the manner in which individual driver decisions influence the onset of this crisis. A simulation procedure was employed to examine the behaviour of traffic on a motorway carriageway in correspondence of several driver choices. Analysis of the results of this simulation and comparison with data obtained from experimental measurements made in real traffic situations showed that the reliability of a motorway, and hence its transport capacity and safety, depends to a great extent on driver behaviour. It is thus possible to improve motorway function by imposing speed limits when traffic approaches conditions of instability.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01912615
• Corporate Authors:

  Pergamon Press, Incorporated

  Headington Hill Hall
  Oxford OX30BW,    
• Authors:
  • Ferrari, P
• Publication Date: 1989-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 139-150
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part B: Methodological
  • Volume: 23B
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0191-2615
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01912615

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Behavior; Drivers; Highway capacity; Reliability; Simulation; Speed limits; Traffic flow
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00484190
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: May 31 1989 12:00AM