Midfield-Width, Lane Width and Effects on Speed and Mental Workload: A Simulator Study

The report presents results from a simulator study where 36 subjects were exposed to 12 randomly ordered conditions-each condition comprising the same 10 km stretch of a 2-lane rural road with speed limit (90 km/h). Midfield- and driving-lane widths were systematically varied in a 3x3 factorial within-subjects design. All subjects had their own 'private rules' regarding choice of driving speeds. Drivers choosing the lower levels of driving speeds showed practically no variation in average speeds across the experimental conditions, while the group stating that they usually would drive 110-120-km/h in a 90-zone, varied across experimental conditions by having their highest mean speeds when midfield was narrow/driving lane was wide, and lowest mean speed when midfield was wide and driving lane narrow. The maximum speeds of this subgroup were also significantly higher than speeds of the rest of the drivers. The driving speeds seem to be determined partly by 'private rules,' i.e. consciously-partly by automated processes, indicators of mental workload (skin conductance, steering wheel reversal rate and wheel grip) were also measured.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/8248006646
• Corporate Authors:

  Norwegian Institute of Transport Economics

  Gransesvingen 7, P.O. Box 6110, Etterstad
  Oslo,   Norway  N-0602
• Authors:
  • Vaa, T
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: 82p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fatigue (Physiological condition); Lane lines; Road markings; Speed limits; Traffic safety; Traffic simulation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lane width
• Geographic Terms: Norway
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01118787
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 8248006646
• Report/Paper Numbers: TOI 847-2006
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 22 2009 9:34AM