Evaluating Safety Based on Driver Decisions upon Acquiring Signal Change Information

Abstract

Intersection is one of the accident-prone locations. To avoid accidents at the intersection, it may be important for drivers to observe the flashing green and non-flashing red of pedestrian signals. In this paper, safety level at the signalized intersection having a pedestrian signal is evaluated using laboratory experiment with the driver as subject. This study is based on the assumption that observing the pedestrian signal enables drivers to anticipate change of the signal to yellow. This provides allowance time for the decision to proceed or to stop, thereby leading to improved safety at intersections. Result clearly shows that driver anticipation of a signal change to yellow by observing the pedestrian signal enables the driver of a vehicle to avoid the “dilemma zone”. This improves safety level at the intersection compared to the case where such information is not provided.