Defining the Decision Zone Considering Multitude ofEnvironmental Factors

摘要

Decision zone is the area within which drivers need to make decisions whether to stop or proceed through thernintersection with the onset of yellow light typically in conjunction with photo red light programs. However, thernprimary focus has been on deciding the duration of the yellow light to reduce possibility of Red Light Runningrn(RLR) by a mathematical calculation based on assumptions while other environmental factors such as area type,rnpercent trucks, and approach grade, were not equally emphasized. This incompleteness resulted in unclear definitionrnof the zone which may have contributed to increase of rear-end crash near intersections. Moreover, these factorsrnaffect the vehicle’s approaching speed to the intersection, which may magnify the impact of unsound decisions.rnTherefore, it is important to understand these factors simultaneously to define the decision zone. In this study, wernfirst identified factors affecting the decision zone. These factors are then further classified into four categories usingrnthe TOME model approach.