Exit Gore Sign Forms for Freeway Based on Driving Behavior

This study aims to provide a reference for improving the guide sign technical standards of China, considering the differences between the form of freeway exit gore signs in technical specifications in China and the developed countries, represented by the United States. The study also seeks to investigate the utility of different forms of exit gore signs. In this study, two kinds of exit gore signs were designed to form four guide sign schemes located in r-shaped and Y-shaped exits, and the signs were implemented through way-finding experiments by the driving simulation to obtain micro-driving behavior data. Then, the factor analysis method was applied to obtain the comprehensive factor score, which was defined as the "exit action parameter." Based on this parameter, three evaluation indexes of strength value, change rate, and action position were selected to compare the effects of the various exit gore sign forms under different exit forms. The results demonstrate that the strength value and action position of the simplified form are found to be better than those of the national standard form for both r-shaped and Y-shaped exits. However, the change rate of the simplified form is inferior to that of the national standard form for the r-shaped exit, and no difference is observed for the Y-shaped exit. The evaluation indicators vary for different exit forms. The exit gore sign with simplified form helps to promote the strength value and action position of the exit action parameter and exhibits a better comprehensive effect for the Y-shaped exit. Therefore, it is recommended that the simplified form should be applied in exit gore signs in Y-shaped exits. © 2020, Editorial Department of China Journal of Highway and Transport. All right reserved.