Analysis of Driver Behavior in Dilemma Zones at Signalized Intersections

A field study evaluated the stopping characteristics of vehicles 2.5 to 5.5 s upstream of signalized intersections at the start of a yellow interval, a region typically considered drivers’ indecision zone or dilemma zone. Characteristics included brake-response times for first-to-stop vehicles, deceleration rates for first-to-stop vehicles, distinguishing characteristics and prediction of first-to-stop versus last-to-go events, and distinguishing characteristics and prediction of red-light-running events. Consumer-grade video cameras temporarily installed at four high-speed and two low-speed intersections in the Madison, Wisconsin, area recorded dilemma zone vehicles. Several factors were measured for each last-to-go (n = 435) and first-to-stop (n = 463) vehicle in each lane during each yellow interval, including approach speed; distance upstream at start of yellow; brake-response time; deceleration rate; vehicle type; headway; tailway; action of vehicles in adjacent lanes; presence of side-street vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, or opposing vehicles waiting to turn left; flow rate; length of yellow interval; and cycle length. The observed 15th, 50th, and 85th percentile brake-response times for first-to-stop vehicles were 0.7, 1.0, and 1.6 s, respectively; their observed deceleration rates were 7.2, 9.9, and 12.9 ft/s², respectively. Vehicles were more likely to go through than to stop under the following conditions: shorter estimated travel time to intersection at start of yellow; longer yellow interval; the subject was a heavy vehicle (truck, bus, recreational vehicle); absence of side-street vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and opposing left-turn vehicles; and presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes that went through. Heavy vehicles were more likely than passenger vehicles to run a red light. Vehicles were more likely to run a red light when vehicles in adjacent lanes that also went through were present and when side-street vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and opposing left-turn vehicles were absent.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2030-05
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Analysis+of+Driver+Behavior+in+Dilemma+Zones+at+Signalized+Intersections&author=T.+Gates&author=D.+Noyce&author=L.+Laracuente&author=E.+Nordheim&publication_year=2007
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Public/Blurbs/159760.aspx
• Authors:
  • Gates, Tim J
  • Noyce, David A
  • Laracuente, Luis
  • Nordheim, Erik V
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 29-39
• Monograph Title: Traffic Control Devices, Visibility, and Rail-Highway Grade Crossings 2007
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2030
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile drivers; Automobiles; Behavior; Braking; Bus drivers; Deceleration; Dilemma zone; Drivers; Heavy vehicles; Red light running; Signalized intersections; Speed; Truck drivers; Video cameras; Yellow interval (Traffic signal cycle)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Deceleration rates
• Geographic Terms: Madison (Wisconsin)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01047610
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309104579
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 8 2007 8:02PM