Effect of Curvature Change Rate of Highway Horizontal Curve in the Path of a Vehicle

Abstract

In order to reveal the influence rules of curvature change rate (CCR) of highway horizontal curve on the path of a vehicle under free flow traffic states, a driver directional control model for highway alignment safety evaluation was put forward on the basis of the preview optimal curvature model, with the introduction of the SK (S was arc length of a curve, K was curvature of the curve) horizontal alignment model. The simulation results show that when a car enters a curve, its path has a tendency to move inward the curve, while its path tends to move outward the curve as the car exits the curve. The CCR of horizontal curve has a significant impact on the vehicle path. With the same simulation speed, the smoother the deflection angle and the smaller the CCR of horizontal curve is, the smaller the lateral deviation of vehicle path, whereas the greater it will be. The CCR of horizontal curve has a significant linear positive relationship with the maximum lateral deviation of the vehicle path.