Age-Based Simulation of Merging Behavior at Freeway Merging Ramps

In this research, VISSIM, a microscopic traffic simulation software, was used to evaluate the influence of drivers' age on the operations of a typical diamond interchange. Data were collected on two merging sections along I-75 in Southwest Florida at free-flow traffic condition to get enough samples for driver's age group. Several measures of effectiveness were collected, including speeds, gaps, and location of entry to the main-line lanes. This information was used as either model input or for verification purposes in the validation process. Two VISSIM models were developed for each site: one model for the existing conditions and verification and another model for a sensitivity analysis, varying the percentage of older drivers and level of service (LOS from A to E) to determine their influence on ramp merging operational characteristics. At 95% confidence level, the results indicate that merging speed is a significant factor influencing the merging location. Older drivers have low merging speeds compared with middle-age and younger drivers. The changes in LOS were found to influence the selection of the merging location for all drivers, whereby at LOS E, most drivers tend to merge near the end of the acceleration lane.