Speed Reduction Mechanisms of Transverse Lines

Abstract

The psychological mechanisms responsible for speed reductions caused by transverse lines were investigated. Using a driving simulator, 24 experienced drivers drove toward intersections with transverse lines at both reducing and constant spacing, with lines extending 0.6 m from the lane edges (peripheral transverse lines), and no lines (control), both before and after speed adaptation. All lines reduced travel speeds during the treatment areas only, and only slightly more after speed adaptation. Transverse lines reduced speeds more than peripheral lines only in the initial treatment area, and no speed differences were found between the two transverse line spacing schemes. It was concluded that transverse lines reduce speed through alerting when initially reached, and also through peripheral perception processes throughout the treatment. However, speed perception is not influenced by the decreasing spacing of the lines.