Evaluation of fog warning system on driving under heavy fog condition based on driving simulator

Xiaohua Zhao,Yang Ding,Yufei Chen,Haijian Li,Xuewei Li

doi:10.1108/jicv-11-2020-0012

Abstract

Purpose Heavy fog results in low visibility, which increases the probability and severity of traffic crashes, and fog warning system is conducive to the reduction of crashes by conveying warning messages to drivers. This paper aims at exploring the effects of dynamic message sign (DMS) of fog warning system on driver performance. Design/methodology/approach First, a testing platform was established based on driving simulator and driver performance data under DMS were collected. The experiment route was consisted of three different zones (i.e. warning zone, transition zone and heavy fog zone), and mean speed, mean acceleration, mean jerk in the whole zone, ending speed in the warning zone and transition zone, maximum deceleration rate and mean speed reduction proportion in the transition zone and heavy fog zone were selected. Next, the one-way analysis of variance was applied to test the significant difference between the metrics. Besides, drivers’ subjective perception was also considered. Findings The results indicated that DMS is beneficial to reduce speed before drivers enter the heavy fog zone. Besides, when drivers enter a heavy fog zone, DMS can reduce the tension of drivers and make drivers operate more smoothly. Originality/value This paper provides a comprehensive approach for evaluating the effectiveness of the warning system in adverse conditions based on the driving simulation test platform. The method can be extended to the evaluation of vehicle-to-infrastructure technology in other special scenarios.

Highlights

Adverse weather conditions might cause many traffic crashes on the freeway
In all of the traffic crashes on the freeway in foggy weather: traffic crashes involving just one car account for 18.75%, crashes involving two cars account for 23.9%, crashes involving more than two cars account for 57.29%, crashes without casualties only account for 2%, crashes involving one to three deaths account for 38%, crashes involving ten or more deaths account for 11% (Zhong, 2008 and Zhang, 2009)
The fog warning system can send out the warning information to drivers so that they have psychological expectation of the fog zone to enhance the decision-making of drivers when they are going to enter the fog zone

Summary

Introduction

Adverse weather conditions might cause many traffic crashes on the freeway. The US Department of Transportation has analyzed the traffic crashes in detail. It shows that crashes caused by adverse weather conditions account for 23% of the road traffic crashes. The amount of fog crashes accounts for 3%, while the death toll of fog crashes accounts for 9%. In all of the traffic crashes on the freeway in foggy weather: traffic crashes involving just one car account for 18.75%, crashes involving two cars account for 23.9%, crashes involving more than two cars account for 57.29%, crashes without casualties only account for 2%, crashes involving one to three deaths account for 38%, crashes involving ten or more deaths account for 11% (Zhong, 2008 and Zhang, 2009). Because of the low visibility of the heavy fog, the traffic crashes might be more frequent and serious

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Conclusion