Influence of the surrounding traffic characteristics on lane changing decision of heavy vehicle drivers

Abstract

Lane changing manoeuvres have major impacts on traffic flows. Despite the increasing number of heavy vehicles on freeways, previous lane changing studies are predominantly associated with passenger cars. This study uses a detailed vehicle trajectory data analysis to investigate the effects of microscopic characteristics of the surrounding traffic on lane changing decision of heavy vehicle drivers. Lane changing decision can be divided into two stages: the motivation to change lanes and the selection of the target lane. To investigate the factors which influence heavy vehicle drivers' lane changing decision, 42 heavy vehicle lane changes are analysed. Heavy vehicles are classified into heavy ..