Acceptability of Countdown Signals at an Urban Signalized Intersection and their Influence on Drivers Behaviour

Abstract

There are different factors that affect driver's behaviour at an urban signalized intersection. Complementary countdown signal heads can be used to inform the driver about the traffic light phase status. In the research presented in this paper, we explored how a countdown signal affects the driver's reaction. We focused on the analysis of red/amber, red and amber running violations. We also observed and measured traffic flow start-up lost time and headway per cycle. Measurements took place in Ljubljana at a four-way intersection where two countdown signal heads are installed that face different directions. We used the "on-off-on" approach, using video surveillance and detection technology. According to the results of the investigative questionnaire, more than 84% of the surveyed drivers expressed positive opinion about the device. Analyses of field-test results have shown that the red and/or amber running violation rate is higher when the device is turned off. The results of the paper suggest that the countdown device had very little effect on the capacity of an urban signalized intersection.

Flashing green signal effects on drivers’ behavior

“…Резултати анкете спроведене у Љубљани су показали да 84% возача има позитивно мишљење о примени каунтера, док су резултати истраживања на терену показали да су чешћи проласци на црвено и/или жуто уколико је каунтер искључен [14]. Такође, резултати су показали да каунтери имају веома мали ефекат на капацитет градске сигналисане раскрснице.…”

Comparative analysis of driver’s brake perception-reaction time at signalized intersections with and without countdown timer using parametric duration models

“…One study has exclusively examined the effects of countdown timer on driver's perception-reaction time to green signal, which is defined as the time difference from green light onset until the start of the leading vehicle . Additionally, many studies have investigated the influences of countdown timer on start-up lost time and start-up delay, which are associated with driver's perception-reaction time to green light (Chiou and Chang, 2010;Limanond et al, 2010;Liu et al, 2012;Rijavec et al, 2013). However, previous related studies have rarely explored driver's BPRT to the onset of yellow light at the intersections with and without countdown timer.…”

Effects of countdown timers on traffic safety at signalized intersections

“…Displaying the countdown time on the device causes an apparently shorter waiting time until the change of light signal. The introduction of countdown timers at signalized intersections changes the way traffic control signals are perceived by drivers (Felicio, Grepo, Reyes, & Yupingkun, 2015, Huang, Fujita, & Wisinee, 2017Rijavec, Zakovšek, & Maher, 2013). Depending on the nature of the driver this may be a source of stress or motivation to act too quickly when the lights change, and could be the reason for dangerous incidents such as entries onto the intersection at red signals or rear end collisions (Devalla, Biswas, & Ghosh, 2015;Napiah, Koh, & Che Long, 2007, Botzoris, Papakatsikas, Profillidis, & Galanis, 2017Fu, Zhang, Qi, & Cheng, 2016;Biswas, Ghosh, & Chandra, 2017).…”