An Analysis of Effects of behavioral norms cognition on the vehicle speed at the occurrence of an earthquake by driving simulator experiments

Abstract

This study reports the results of an experiment with a driving simulator where drivers were exposed to a simulated earthquake while driving on an urban expressway. Some drivers were given guidance before the earthquake on the recommended driving behavior during an earthquake in line with the official guidelines of the expressway company. We analyze the impact of this information and generally report on how drivers reduce speed as a function of traffic density and the seismic intensity during the simulated earthquake. We report on the overall level of speed reduction as well as the average and maximum deceleration. This information will help to build car-following models under emergency situations and to understand the accident likelihood during earthquakes. It will also help improving the guidance given to drivers. This appears to be of need since we find that drivers can have different interpretations regarding the meaning of a “stop” message. Whereas some drivers would aim to stop without much emergency on the hard shoulder, others would aim to stop rapidly, independent as to whether a safe stopping space could be found.