Driver behavior at freeway-ramp merging areas based on instrumented vehicle observations

Abstract

Driver behavior is an important factor that affects traffic operations and accounts to a large degree for the observed variability in roadway performance. Although various simulation and analytical models have been developed that incorporate driver behavior choices, little has been done to understand the merging process from the driver's perspective and evaluate the relationship between their characteristics and their actions. This study conducted field experiments to investigate drivers' actual thinking process and actions when merging or passing through freeway-ramp merging areas. Observations under both congested and uncongested conditions were collected. The results of the field study pertain to driver behavior and vehicle interactions from the driver's perspective. The research findings can provide significant insight when replicating driver behavior in micro-simulation models.

Keywords:

• Driver behavior
• instrumented vehicle data collection
• merging maneuvers
• cooperative merging
• forced merging