SPEED PROFILES OF ISOLATED VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL STREETS

This report describes a research project aimed at developing a relationship between the speed of a vehicle and the street length, herein termed the speed profile of the vehicle. Attempts to derive theoretical models to describe the speed profile result in the conclusion that there is a lack of suitable vehicle performance or driver behaviour models. It is also considered that driver behaviour models are more suitable to describe this relationship. Research into the development of numerical models from data collected in residential streets in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne is then described. Much consideration is given to the method used for the collection of this data as it is known that certain methods can adversely affect vehicle behaviour. A preliminary test is described which verifies the proposed method and shows that data collected using an array of on road electromechanical treadle sensors is not significantly different to that collected if no detectors were present. The selection of suitable test sites and the collection of data is discussed in detail. The data is edited and then analysed to produce the desired relationships. Investigation of the relationships developed suggests that if the 85th percentile design vehicle is to be restricted to a desired maximum speed of 60 km/h the straight length of a street should be no greater than 200 metres. The thesis was submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of engineering science in the Department of Civil Engineering at Monash University. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Monash University

  Wellington Road
  Clayton, Victoria  Australia  3800
• Authors:
  • Pitcher, I
• Publication Date: 1989-6

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 161 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Behavior; Data collection; Design speed; Detectors; Drivers; Environment; Length; Mathematical models; Methodology; Networks; Perception; Performance; Residential areas; Roads; Speed; Speed limits; Theory; Theses; Traffic control; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road networks
• ITRD Terms: 5405: Acceleration; 8006: Australia; 9001: Behaviour; 8525: Conference; 8623: Data acquisition; 635: Design speed; 1772: Driver; 5910: Durability; 2455: Environment; 2755: Highway; 6488: Length; 6473: Mathematical model; 9102: Method; 2229: Perception; 307: Residential area; 1053: Road network; 6120: Sensor; 5408: Speed; 624: Speed limit; 9078: Theory; 8597: Thesis; 654: Traffic control; 1255: Vehicle
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00499027
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM