Driver Behavior in Traffic
Project Information
Project ID:
FHWA-PROJ-09-0039
Project Abstract:
The primary objective for this exploratory advanced research (EAR) project is to characterize driver behavior under naturalistic driving experiences with respect to critical parameters related to freeway driving. To accomplish such an objective, the research team will develop agents that will learn individual driver's temporal actions for any given traffic state retrieved from the naturalistic database. These characteristics, or driving rules, of the agents will be coded in the VisSim environment to test and study the collective effects of these learned behaviors with multiple drivers involved and under different situations. Analysis of trained agents' characteristics will provide the industry with methods for developing more accurate and sensitive traffic simulation models, which could lead to future research for developing new generations of traffic simulation models to accurately model impacts of driver behavior in traffic during incidents and complex traffic situations.
Goals
The primary objective for this EAR project is to characterize driver behavior under naturalistic driving experiences with respect to critical parameters related to freeway driving.
Research HUB ID:
2267
Project Status:
Completed
Project Funding Amount (Contract Award Amount):
$724,813.00
Start Date:
End Date:
Public Access Plan:
No
FHWA Program Area:
- Exploratory Advanced Research
Fiscal Year / AMRP Program / AMRP Activity:
- FY 2002-2022 / Operations / Transportation Systems Management and Operations
FHWA Activity:
- Transportation Management
Project Outputs:
This research provides a foundation for agent-based modeling of driver behavior based on naturalistic data through an integrated framework for safety and operation analysis. Lateral vehicle action was simulated in a microscopic traffic behavior modeling environment, bringing new insights to the modeling of driver maneuvering behavior during safety-critical events. Agents developed and evaluated in the VisSim (a German acronym that refers to a simulation model for traffic in cities) simulation platform revealed a close resemblance to real driver data. The project team improved car-following models through development of a hybrid model for greater accuracy and flexibility and through the addition of the new "passing and hook-following" thresholds. They used the model to simulate vehicle actions in safety-critical events, developed agent-based simulation components integrated with the VisSim simulation package through its driver model, and developed and implemented a robust activation mechanism for agent-based simulation based on discriminant analysis. The investigators also identified key future research issues: adaptability of agents in real time and human factors issues related to warning individual drivers about changes in their driving behavior that might lead to safety-critical events.
AMRP = Annual Modal Research Plan
Contact Information
First Name:
Carl
Last Name:
Andersen
Phone Number:
(202) 493-3045
Email Address:
Team:
Operations Research and Development Technical Direction
Office:
Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development
Office Code:
HRSO-03
Management Organizations
Sponsor Organization
Organization Role:
Sponsor Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development and Technology - Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development
Contact Role:
Project Lead
Contact:
Managing Organization
Organization Role:
Project Managing Organization
Organization:
Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development and Technology - Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development
Contact Role:
Project Contact
Contact:
Performing Organization
Organization Role:
Performing Organization
Organization:
Virginia Tech
Contact Role:
Project Contact