Evaluation of driver visual demand in complex two dimensional rural highway alignments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandi D Ganguly
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Radius Of Curvature ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Road Accidents ◽  
Complex Curves ◽  
Demand Information ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Highway Alignment ◽  
Lateral Positioning

Transportation has proven to be one of the most important infrastructures in the economic development of any country. Safe and effective traffic operations support growth of the economy and help in future developments. Highway alignment design plays a crucial role in implementing safer traffic operation and management. Road accidents not only jeopardize safety, but also have a major effect on the national economy. These accidents can be divided in three classes, grouped according to their severity. Statistics in North America and Europe show that one of the major reasons for such road accidents is driver error. Wrong decisions during navigation may be the primary reason for such errors. Wrong decisions occur when a driver is unable to process the range of visual information available in a complex highway situation. Drivers need to have sufficient visual information in guiding and controlling vehicles along the correct path. Drivers scan the roadway to collect visual information. This visual information consists mainly of the traffic situation, roadway signs, and the information from the highway alignment itself. The information from the highway alignment plays a major role in decision-making during maneuvering. All drivers, therefore, need sufficient visual information for perfect navigating, and for guiding and controlling their vehicles on the road. The main focus of this research study was on evaluating visual demands on two-dimensional highway alignments with an emphasis on determining the effect of complex curves on visual demand. Complex curves are defined as combinations of simple, compound, and reverse curves in a series. Eighteen hypothetical alignments for two-lane rural highways have been developed following the standard guidelines of the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) and American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO). These alignments were simulated in a low-cost driving simulator. A series of experiments was carried out using the visual occlusion method. Nine subject drivers drove in the simulator, and the output data related to visual demand information and positioning of the subject vehicle were connected. The data relating to visual demand information and lateral positioning on curves and tangents were processed using Microsoft ExceFM and analyzed using SAS, a statistical software. The turning directions, characteristics of preceding elements, and the combination of curve to curve, tangent to curve, or curve to tangent have been considered as nominal variables and analyzed as independent variables with visual demand. It has been observed that visual demand varies widely with the inverse of radius of curvature of the preceding and current elements, and the characteristics of the combination of the current and the preceding element. Visual demand also varies on identical tangents, depending on the deflection angle, inverse of radius, and turning direction of the preceding curve. The standard deviation of lateral positioning of the subject vehicle was evaluated with respect to the centre-line of the driving lane. This was supposed to have a considerable impact on visual demand evaluation, but it has been observed that this does not bear any significant relationship to visual demand. In addition to curves, tangents, as preceding elements have an immense impact on visual demand evaluation on following curves. Besides, visual demand on tangents has also been observed as highly dependent on the preceding curve and their turning directions.

scholarly journals Evaluation of driver visual demand in complex two dimensional rural highway alignments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandi D Ganguly
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Radius Of Curvature ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Road Accidents ◽  
Complex Curves ◽  
Demand Information ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Highway Alignment ◽  
Lateral Positioning

Transportation has proven to be one of the most important infrastructures in the economic development of any country. Safe and effective traffic operations support growth of the economy and help in future developments. Highway alignment design plays a crucial role in implementing safer traffic operation and management. Road accidents not only jeopardize safety, but also have a major effect on the national economy. These accidents can be divided in three classes, grouped according to their severity. Statistics in North America and Europe show that one of the major reasons for such road accidents is driver error. Wrong decisions during navigation may be the primary reason for such errors. Wrong decisions occur when a driver is unable to process the range of visual information available in a complex highway situation. Drivers need to have sufficient visual information in guiding and controlling vehicles along the correct path. Drivers scan the roadway to collect visual information. This visual information consists mainly of the traffic situation, roadway signs, and the information from the highway alignment itself. The information from the highway alignment plays a major role in decision-making during maneuvering. All drivers, therefore, need sufficient visual information for perfect navigating, and for guiding and controlling their vehicles on the road. The main focus of this research study was on evaluating visual demands on two-dimensional highway alignments with an emphasis on determining the effect of complex curves on visual demand. Complex curves are defined as combinations of simple, compound, and reverse curves in a series. Eighteen hypothetical alignments for two-lane rural highways have been developed following the standard guidelines of the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) and American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO). These alignments were simulated in a low-cost driving simulator. A series of experiments was carried out using the visual occlusion method. Nine subject drivers drove in the simulator, and the output data related to visual demand information and positioning of the subject vehicle were connected. The data relating to visual demand information and lateral positioning on curves and tangents were processed using Microsoft ExceFM and analyzed using SAS, a statistical software. The turning directions, characteristics of preceding elements, and the combination of curve to curve, tangent to curve, or curve to tangent have been considered as nominal variables and analyzed as independent variables with visual demand. It has been observed that visual demand varies widely with the inverse of radius of curvature of the preceding and current elements, and the characteristics of the combination of the current and the preceding element. Visual demand also varies on identical tangents, depending on the deflection angle, inverse of radius, and turning direction of the preceding curve. The standard deviation of lateral positioning of the subject vehicle was evaluated with respect to the centre-line of the driving lane. This was supposed to have a considerable impact on visual demand evaluation, but it has been observed that this does not bear any significant relationship to visual demand. In addition to curves, tangents, as preceding elements have an immense impact on visual demand evaluation on following curves. Besides, visual demand on tangents has also been observed as highly dependent on the preceding curve and their turning directions.

scholarly journals Evaluation of driver visual demand at different traffic volumes on complex two-dimensional multi-lane highway alignments.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Kadoury
Keyword(s):  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Highway Design ◽  
Geometric Characteristics ◽  
The Road ◽  
Complex Curves ◽  
Traffic Volumes ◽  
Process Output ◽  
Design Consistency ◽  
Crucial Part

This research focuses on evaluating driver visual demand at different traffic volumes along with geometric design features for two-dimensional (2D) multi-lane highways consisting of horizontal and vertical alignments which is a crucial part of highway design consistency research. Three such alignments, with simple and complex curves were designed to generate desired traffic volume levels. A driving simulator was used to collect date from twenty drivers that participated in roadway alignment experiments at Ryerson University. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) was used to analyze and process output data. Models were developed for visual demand and volume/capacity ratios, and geometric characteristics of the road, where visual demand was the only dependent variable. The research found that a relationship exists between visual demand and different traffic volumes along with geometric characteristics of the road.

scholarly journals Evaluation of driver visual demand at different traffic volumes on complex two-dimensional multi-lane highway alignments.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Kadoury
Keyword(s):  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Highway Design ◽  
Geometric Characteristics ◽  
The Road ◽  
Complex Curves ◽  
Traffic Volumes ◽  
Process Output ◽  
Design Consistency ◽  
Crucial Part

This research focuses on evaluating driver visual demand at different traffic volumes along with geometric design features for two-dimensional (2D) multi-lane highways consisting of horizontal and vertical alignments which is a crucial part of highway design consistency research. Three such alignments, with simple and complex curves were designed to generate desired traffic volume levels. A driving simulator was used to collect date from twenty drivers that participated in roadway alignment experiments at Ryerson University. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) was used to analyze and process output data. Models were developed for visual demand and volume/capacity ratios, and geometric characteristics of the road, where visual demand was the only dependent variable. The research found that a relationship exists between visual demand and different traffic volumes along with geometric characteristics of the road.

scholarly journals Examination of Driver Visual and Cognitive Responses to Billboard Elicited Passive Distraction Using Eye-Fixation Related Potential

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1471
Author(s):  
Yongxiang Wang ◽  
William Clifford ◽  
Charles Markham ◽  
Catherine Deegan
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Driver Distraction ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Human Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Responses ◽  
Information Processing Model ◽  
Eye Fixation

Distractions external to a vehicle contribute to visual attention diversion that may cause traffic accidents. As a low-cost and efficient advertising solution, billboards are widely installed on side of the road, especially the motorway. However, the effect of billboards on driver distraction, eye gaze, and cognition has not been fully investigated. This study utilises a customised driving simulator and synchronised electroencephalography (EEG) and eye tracking system to investigate the cognitive processes relating to the processing of driver visual information. A distinction is made between eye gaze fixations relating to stimuli that assist driving and others that may be a source of distraction. The study compares the driver’s cognitive responses to fixations on billboards with fixations on the vehicle dashboard. The measured eye-fixation related potential (EFRP) shows that the P1 components are similar; however, the subsequent N1 and P2 components differ. In addition, an EEG motor response is observed when the driver makes an adjustment of driving speed when prompted by speed limit signs. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed measurement system is a valid tool in assessing driver cognition and suggests the cognitive level of engagement to the billboard is likely to be a precursor to driver distraction. The experimental results are compared with the human information processing model found in the literature.

Sight distance red zones on combined horizontal and sag vertical curves

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasser Hassan ◽  
Said M Easa
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
The Other ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Horizontal Curve ◽  
Sight Distance ◽  
Stopping Sight Distance ◽  
Three Dimensional Models ◽  
Highway Alignment ◽  
Current Standards

Coordination of highway horizontal and vertical alignments is based on subjective guidelines in current standards. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of coordinating horizontal and sag vertical curves that are designed using two-dimensional standards. The locations where a horizontal curve should not be positioned relative to a sag vertical curve (called red zones) are identified. In the red zone, the available sight distance (computed using three-dimensional models) is less than the required sight distance. Two types of red zones, based on stopping sight distance (SSD) and preview sight distance (PVSD), are examined. The SSD red zone corresponds to the locations where an overlap between a horizontal curve and a sag vertical curve should be avoided because the three-dimensional sight distance will be less than the required SSD. The PVSD red zone corresponds to the locations where a horizontal curve should not start because drivers will not be able to perceive it and safely react to it. The SSD red zones exist for practical highway alignment parameters, and therefore designers should check the alignments for potential SSD red zones. The range of SSD red zones was found to depend on the different alignment parameters, especially the superelevation rate. On the other hand, the results showed that the PVSD red zones exist only for large values of the required PVSD, and therefore this type of red zones is not critical. This paper should be of particular interest to the highway designers and professionals concerned with highway safety.Key words: sight distance, red zone, combined alignment.

Two-dimensional buoyant plumes in a uniform co-flow

2021 ◽  
Vol 932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary R. Hunt ◽  
Jamie P. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Investigation ◽  
Analytical Solutions ◽  
Richardson Number ◽  
Relative Magnitude ◽  
Dynamical Behaviour ◽  
Finite Width ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Buoyant Plumes ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Flow Case

The behaviour of turbulent, buoyant, planar plumes is fundamentally coupled to the environment within which they develop. The effect of a background stratification directly influences a plumes buoyancy and has been the subject of numerous studies. Conversely, the effect of an ambient co-flow, which directly influences the vertical momentum of a plume, has not previously been the subject of theoretical investigation. The governing conservation equations for the case of a uniform co-flow are derived and the local dynamical behaviour of the plume is shown to be characterised by the scaled source Richardson number and the relative magnitude of the co-flow and plume source velocities. For forced, pure and lazy plume release conditions the co-flow acts to narrow the plume and reduce both the dilution and the asymptotic Richardson number relative to the classic zero co-flow case. Analytical solutions are developed for pure plumes from line sources, and for highly forced and highly lazy releases from sources of finite width in a weak co-flow. Contrary to releases in quiescent surroundings, our solutions show that all classes of release can exhibit plume contraction and the associated necking. For entraining plumes, a dynamical invariance spatially only occurs for pure and forced releases and we derive the co-flow strengths that lead to this invariance.

Laminar flow in symmetrical channels with slightly curved walls II. An asymptotic series for the stream function

1963 ◽  
Vol 272 (1350) ◽  
pp. 406-428 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Asymptotic Series ◽  
Radius Of Curvature ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
The Third ◽  
Higher Order Terms ◽  
Curvature Parameter ◽  
Leading Term ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Curved Walls

A class of two-dimensional channels, with walls whose radius of curvature is uniformly large relative to local channel width, is described, and the velocity field of laminar flow through these channels is obtained as a power series in the small curvature parameter. The leading term is the Jeffery-Hamel solution considered in part I, and it is shown here how the higher-order terms are found. Terms of the third approximation have been computed. The theory is applied to two examples, for one of which experimental results are available and confirm the theoretical values with fair accuracy.

scholarly journals Further note on the influence of a magnetic field of radiation frequency

1897 ◽  
Vol 61 (369-377) ◽  
pp. 413-415
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
Ruled Surface ◽  
Radius Of Curvature ◽  
Radiation Frequency ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The One

Referring to a former communication of mine, on the subject of Zeeman’s discovery, printed on page 513 of the ‘Proceedings of the Royal Society ’for February 11 this year, vol. 60, No. 367, I wish to add an observation to those previously recorded, as I have recently acquired a concave Rowland grating (3½ X 1½-inch ruled surface, 14,438 lines to inch, 10 feet radius of curvature, being the one used by Mr. George Higgs), of which the spectra of the first and third orders on one side are very satisfactory.

An Evaluation of Holograms as Training and Job Aids

1978 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 661-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan H. Frey ◽  
Edwin S. Eichert
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Visual Aids ◽  
Technical Documentation ◽  
Assembly Time ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
Job Aids ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Assembly Tasks ◽  
And Storage

This study was concerned with an evaluation of holography in training and for job aids. Experimentation comparing holograms, line drawings, and photographs as methods of presenting visual information is reported. It appears that with the tasks used, holograms generally are as good as or better visual aids than either photographs or line drawings. The use of holograms tends to reduce errors rather than speed assembly time in assembly tasks. They also seem to enhance the discovery of errors when the subject is attempting to locate assembly errors in a construction. The results of this experimentation suggest that serious consideration should be given to the use of holography in the development of job aids and in training. Applications in technical documentation and storage relevant to the use of holograms as job aids are also considered.

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