An Empirical Model for Automobile Driver Horizontal Curve Negotiation

Abstract

Continuous recordings of test drivers on rural horizontal curves indicated that test drivers exhibited a non-linear relation in velocity and lateral acceleration at the point of maximum acceleration. A model is proposed which includes a driver aspiration velocity, maximum lateral acceleration tolerance, and an expedience parameter related to the driver's willingness to trade velocity for lateral acceleration. The model provides a good fit to different types of data which include: (1) “relaxed” drive vs. “late for appointment” scenarios; and (2) familiarity of roadway. The empirical models indicate changes in the expedience parameter and aspiration velocity.