NTL Record

Title Towards a social psychology-based microscopic model of driver behavior and decision-making : modifying Lewin's field theory
Record ID 51944
Personal Name
Creator
Berthaume, Andrew Leo; Romoser, Matthew R. E.; Collura, John; Ni, Daiheng
Source Procedia Computer Science, 32 (2014) 816-821; open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
Corporate Creator University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Publisher Elsevier
Publication Date 20140000
Language English
Abstract Central to effective roadway design is the ability to understand how drivers behave as they traverse a segment of roadway. While simple and complex microscopic models have been used over the years to analyse driver behaviour, most models: 1.) incorporate separate car-following and lane-changing algorithms, and thus do not capture the interdependencies between lane-changing and car-following vehicle; 2.) do not capture differences in the drivers’ cognitive and physical characteristics; and 3.) are constructed from observed vehicle movements and make no attempt to model the discrete differences between how each roadway element alters each driver’s behaviour. This paper employs field theory to construct a conceptual framework for a new microscopic model. In field theory, an agent (e.g. the driver) views a field (i.e. the area surrounding the vehicle) filled with stimuli and perceives forces associated with each stimuli once these stimuli are internalized. Based on this theory, the resulting model would be designed to directly incorporate drivers’ perceptions to roadway stimuli along with vehicle movements for drivers of different cognitive and physical abilities. It is postulated that such a model would more effectively reflect reality, and if this model were accurately calibrated, could potentially model the effects of external stimuli such as innovative geometric configurations, lane closures, and technology applications such as variable message boards. A modified field theory could potentially capture and model “hot topics” in traffic engineering, such as the distracted drivers, road rage, the incorporation of ITS elements, and driver behaviour through a work zone.
Rosap ID dot:12065
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/12065
TRT Terms Traffic models; Microscopic traffic flow; Field tests; Drivers; Decision making
General Subjects Field theory; Kurt Lewin; Driver behavior
Classification NTL - HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION - HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION;
NTL - HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION - Design;
NTL - PLANNING AND POLICY - PLANNING AND POLICY;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/51000/51900/51944/Berthaume_Towards_social_psychology-based.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository