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Car Drivers Do Not Choose Their Speed in Urban Environments: Speed Models in Tangent Streets

Abstract:

The performance-based design approach is one way to deal with speeding in the streets. Under this approach, the geometric elements of roadways can influence on the desired operating speeds. Thus, several studies have investigated the relationship between geometric elements and light vehicle speeds; however, no conclusive results have been reached at this stage. In this context, this article aims to investigate the influence of several characteristics from urban street tangents, car driver, and vehicle on their speed in free-flow conditions. Three tangents scenarios were set out: before stop-controlled intersections, before signal-controlled intersections, and before roundabout intersections. Speeds of light vehicles were measured at 34 streets. Speeds were collected with in-vehicle GPS equipment. Thirty-five car drivers participated in the study with their vehicles. Street geometric characteristics, street environment variables, driver and vehicle characteristics were also collected. As a result, 15 regression models were calibrated and validated. Street length and objects density were the most influential variables in those models, and not the driver and vehicle characteristics as would suppose. This comprehensive research extends the knowledge of the most influential variables on speed in several urban scenarios, offering useful information for urban planners and street designers.