Driver Behavior Mechanisms and Conflict Risk Patterns in Tunnel-Interchange Connecting Sections: A Comprehensive Investigation Based on the Behavioral Adaptation Theory

Chenwei Gu, Xingliang Liu () and Nan Mao ()
Additional contact information
Chenwei Gu: Key Laboratory for Special Area Highway Engineering of Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Xingliang Liu: Key Laboratory for Special Area Highway Engineering of Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Nan Mao: Key Laboratory for Special Area Highway Engineering of Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-28

Abstract: Tunnel-interchange sections are characterized by complex driving tasks and frequent traffic conflicts, posing substantial challenges to overall safety and efficiency. Enhancing safety in these areas is crucial for the sustainability of traffic systems. This study applies behavior adaptation theory as an integrated framework to examine the impact of environmental stimuli on driving behavior and conflict risk in small-spaced sections. Through driving simulation, 19 observation indicators are collected, covering eye-tracking, heart rate, subjective workload, driving performance, and conflict risk. The analysis, using single-factor ranking (Shapley Additive Explanation), interaction effects (dependence plots), and multi-factor analysis (Structural Equation Modeling), demonstrates that driving workload and performance dominate the fully mediating effects between external factors and conflict risk. High-load environmental stimuli, such as narrow spacing (≤500 m) and overloaded signage information (>6 units), significantly elevate drivers’ stress responses and impair visual acuity, thereby increasing task difficulty and conflict risk. Critical factors like saccade size, heart rate variability, lane deviation, and headway distance emerge as vital indicators for monitoring and supporting driving decisions. These findings provide valuable insights for the operational management of small-spacing sections and enhance the understanding of driving safety in these areas from a human factor perspective.

Keywords: tunnel-interchange sections; driving behavior; behavioral adaptation theory; conflict risk; road safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/19/8701/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/19/8701/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:19:p:8701-:d:1494698

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().