Simulating Traffic Engineering Solutions to Predict Changes in Driving Behaviour

A UK Government initiative, “Quiet Lanes”, aims to make rural lanes safe and attractive for non-motorized users. Innovative solutions are necessary to reduce traffic speed on rural roads, but it would be prudent to assess experimentally the likely effectiveness and acceptability of any new measures before they are built. This paper evaluates the use of simulated environments by means of manipulated color photographs to predict changes in driving behavior associated with changing roads. Findings showed that respondents were able to differentiate between the different simulated engineering solutions and their suggested driving behavior accurately reflected that associated with road use under similar conditions elsewhere. Of the presented options, the most effective engineering intervention to reduce driver speed appeared to be the planting of grass along the center of the carriageway. The methodology presented here can effectively inform decision-making and resource allocation at an early stage in the planning and design process. It also can encourage public participation by allowing interested parties to readily visualize the consequences of their choices in a concrete manner.

• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VN8-4GFNGDC-1/1/82dce0e99da9cd06ca1264b75903ce37
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13698478
• Authors:
  • Uzzell, David
  • Muckle, Rachel
• Publication Date: 2005-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 311-329
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue Number: 4-5
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1369-8478
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13698478

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Driving; Highway design; Photographs; Planning and design; Public participation; Rural highways; Simulation; Traffic calming; Traffic engineering; Traffic speed
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01003399
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 27 2005 6:00PM