Analysis of dynamic available passing sight distance near right-turn horizontal curves during overtaking using LiDAR data

Abstract

The purpose of this study is twofold: to construct a model for measuring dynamic available passing sight distance (APSD) during overtaking using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, and to investigate the effects of several critical variables on dynamic APSD. The analysis considers a single passed vehicle with several variables, including vehicle dimensions Dp, initial headway IH, and speed differential SD. The proposed model simulates the passing process and dynamically estimates APSD considering two types of obstacles: (1) obstacles related to the road environment and (2) passed-vehicle obstacle which is critical especially on or near right-turn horizontal curves. Through multiple tests, the variation of dynamic APSD along with the passing maneuver is established. The results show that large Dp or long IH may increase the adverse effect of the passed vehicle on dynamic APSD. Either too large or too small SD may lead to a relatively high risk of head-on collisions.