How do drivers manage speed at tunnel entrances? Insights from uncorrelated grouped random parameters duration models for model invalidation and performance recovery times

Abstract

Human drivers must quickly adjust to perturbations at tunnel entrances (i.e., the rapid switching of cross-sections, abrupt longitudinal changes in the driving environment, and changes in visual illumination, denoted “tunnel transition perturbations”) to regain control of their vehicles, especially when managing speed to prevent motor overshoot. Previous research has assessed drivers’ visual adaptation rather than variations in vehicle control under tunnel transition perturbations. In this study, a sample entropy method was used to measure the safety–critical duration of speed control events at tunnel entrances and thereby reveal the participants’ speed adaptation and recovery performance under tunnel transition perturbations. Two key metrics—model invalidation time and performance recovery time—were introduced, and an uncorrelated grouped random parameters hazard-based duration model was developed. Road grade, road curvature, income, and time having held a license were positively associated with model invalidation time, while a history of accidents in the past 12 months was negatively associated with model invalidation time. In addition, road grade, road curvature, and income had heterogeneous effects on model invalidation time. Moreover, a history of accidents in the past 12 months moderated the relationship between road grade and model invalidation time. Furthermore, road curvature, average annual mileage, and sleep deprivation significantly influenced performance recovery time, while road grade and non-fatigue condition had heterogeneous effects on performance recovery time. Overall, this study demonstrated that the participants’ personal characteristics and experiences significantly shaped the development of their internal models, and that their current status and perception had a substantial influence on their performance recovery under tunnel transition perturbations. These insights enhance understanding of the mechanisms of drivers’ motor control under tunnel transition perturbations and will therefore enable improvement of road traffic design and safety management at tunnel entrances.