Driver Parking Behaviour: An Observational and Experimental Intervention Study

Abstract

Illegal parking has become a major problem in Malaysia especially in urban area due to the increased traffic volumes and limited parking space. When the parking facilities are limited, driver factor thus has a significant effect on the formation of traffic congestion. Extensive work has been conducted to address this issue, however most studies did not incorporate the impact of driver behaviour at limited parking condition whereas it is understood that “cruising for parking” at limited parking facilities has a very strong influence on the road traffic jams. Thus, objectives of this study are to analyse drivers’ personality traits which focus on consideration and selfishness traits; and to investigate drivers’ personality traits and their impact on driver parking behaviour in Kuching, Sarawak. Analyzation of driver parking behaviour was based on observational study of driver, vehicle, and situational variables. Experimental intervention then conducted to different age groups of drivers. They were asked to respond to questions that related to the driver parking behaviour characteristic. Analyses of the data reported in this study revealed that most of the drivers are considerate enough but they become a selfish person when confront with difficult situation at the parking space and their action sometimes are susceptible to illegal parking. The findings significantly beneficial to the traffic engineer, policy maker and researcher in enhancing parking control and management system.