Speed control, visual adaptation, and mental workload in urban short underpass tunnels: A naturalistic driving study.

Objective: Urban short underpass tunnels, characterized by steep longitudinal slopes, limited lengths, and abrupt light transitions, pose significant driving risks. This study aims to comprehensively investigate drivers' speed control behavior, visual adaptation processes, and mental workload mechanisms within such tunnels under real traffic conditions.

Methods: A real-vehicle experiment was conducted involving 35 drivers.

Do visual guiding facilities in freeway tunnels affect drivers' perception of longitudinal safety distance? A simulation experiment.

Objective: The safety perception of longitudinal distance by drivers in tunnels is critical for road safety. However, existing studies mainly focus on the effects of visual guiding facilities on speed perception and vehicle position, with limited research on their impact on longitudinal distance perception. This study aims to evaluate the effect of different types of visual guiding facilities on drivers' safety perception of longitudinal distance in freeway tunnels.

Simulation Experimental Study on Evolution Law of Cumulative Damage in Coal under Shocks by Multiple High Pressure Air Blasting.

High pressure air blasting (HPAB) is a new type of waterless physical expansion method for enhancing coalbed methane extraction from low-permeability coal reservoirs. In order to explore the influence of shocks by multiple HPAB on the cumulative damage evolution of coal, shocks by multiple HPAB experiments were conducted using simulated coal samples and a self-developed HPAB device. During the experimental testing process, The wave velocity of coal samples under shocks by multiple HPAB was tested using an ultrasonic tester, and the time-domain signal of the ultrasonic wave was converted into a frequency-domain signal using Fourier transform theory.

Driving behavior performance from tunnel main road to underground merging area: A real vehicle study based on speed and lateral offset.

Objective: Multi-entry underpass road tunnels feature long entrance downhill sections and underground merging areas where main and secondary roads converge. These complex driving environments can lead to variations in driver speed and lateral offset, increasing the risk of traffic accidents. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the speed and lateral offset characteristics in different tunnel sections and their impact on traffic safety, providing support for traffic control and safety improvements in multi-entry underpass tunnels.

Research on the relationship between drivers' fixation behavior and road cognitive efficiency in curved tunnel environments.

Objectives: This study aims to explore the relationship between drivers' fixation behavior and road cognitive efficiency in curved tunnel environments. The objective is to understand how factors such as tunnel radius, turning direction, and tunnel zones influence drivers' visual behaviors and cognitive processes.

Methods: The research involves 30 participants and utilizes eye tracking technology to collect data.

Effects of delineation signs on driving behavior in expressway tunnel curves.

Objective: Driving on curved roads presents higher traffic safety risks compared to straight sections. However, existing research has primarily focused on open road curves, with limited studies addressing safety measures for tunnel curves. This study aims to evaluate the effects of curve delineation signs-such as chevrons, horizontal arrow signs (HASs), and retro-reflective arches (RAs)-on driver behavior at tunnel curves.

The impact of spiral tunnel characteristics on driver HRV and stress perception: A naturalistic driving experiment.

This study examined the impact of the combined configuration of spiral tunnel length and radius on drivers' heart rate variability (HRV) and stress perception through a naturalistic driving experiment with 30 participants. Three spiral tunnels varying in both length and radius were evaluated, and the effects of uphill and downhill driving directions were also considered. The results revealed that the combined configuration of tunnel length and radius significantly influenced drivers' physiological and psychological states.

Exploring drivers' psychological responses in spiral tunnel: visual attention and subjective perceptions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the challenges associated with driving in spiral tunnels through a comprehensive analysis of both visual performance and subjective perceptions of drivers. By comparing driving behavior in spiral tunnels to that in conventional curved tunnels, the study aimed to identify specific differences in visual attention, cognitive processing, and perceived workload, ultimately informing tunnel design and safety improvements.

Methods: Naturalistic driving experiments were conducted in two different tunnel environments: A conventional curved tunnel and a spiral tunnel.

Evaluating the effectiveness of rhythmic visual guidance technology for mitigating driving risks in highway tunnel groups: A simulation study.

Driving in highway tunnel groups necessitates frequent adaptation to drastic changes in the traffic environment, thereby increasing driving difficulty and risk. This study integrates drivers' preferences for rhythmic information with the inherent rhythmic characteristics of tunnel group structures to propose a new and adaptive method to mitigate driving risks using rhythmic visual guidance (RVG) technology. Unlike traditional visual guidance systems, which often rely on static signals, RVG utilizes dynamic, rhythmically varying cues to capture drivers' attention and improve situational awareness more effectively.

Assessment of drivers' visual search patterns and cognitive load during driving in curved tunnels.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess drivers' visual search patterns and cognitive load during driving in curved tunnels. Specifically, we aimed to investigate how different curved tunnel geometries (tunnel radii, turning directions) and zones (entrance, middle, exit) influence drivers' saccadic eye movements. This understanding can inform the development of safer tunnel designs and driving guidelines.

Exploring the Mechanism for Increased Risk in Freeway Tunnel Approach Zones: A Perspective on Temporal-spatial Evolution of Driving Predictions, Tasks, and Behaviors.

Freeway tunnel approach zones, situated outside the tunnel, do not undergo the same sudden changes in luminous environment and visual references that entrance zones experience. Despite this, accident data indicates that approach zones present similar safety risks to entrance zones, both of which are significantly higher than other tunnel sections. The reasons for the heightened risks in approach zones remain unclear in existing research.

Driving characteristics of static obstacle avoidance by drivers in mountain highway tunnels - A lateral safety distance judgement.

Static obstacles (tunnel sidewalls, barricades, etc.) on the side of mountainous highways change the spatial range of the road during driving, restricting the driver's freedom of driving while possibly triggering the driver's shy away effect, which poses a specific potential safety hazard. To understand the characteristics of driving behaviour in mountain highway tunnels with different tunnel lengths and lateral obstacles, nine tunnels in Chongqing were selected for real-vehicle tests, and data on driving trajectories, speeds and other metrics were collected from 40 drivers.

Can retroreflective rings enhance drivers' safety perception of spatial right-of-way in freeway tunnels? A simulation exploration.

In order to investigate whether retroreflective rings can enhance drivers' perception of spatial right-of-way in freeway tunnels, this paper explores a simulation test. The characteristics of spatial right-of-way in tunnels are elucidated, and a comparative test is conducted using commonly used delineators and raised pavement markers against retroreflective rings to enhance the perception of spatial right-of-way. The test employs the perception of lateral deviation and longitudinal distance as indicators to reflect the lateral and longitudinal right-of-way.

Investigating the eye-catching effect in the entrance zone of highway tunnels through heart rate variability analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of visual attraction conditions on drivers' cognitive workload and physiological responses, assessed through heart rate variability (HRV) indicators. The study examined four experimental scenarios, including a baseline condition and three visual attractions (landscape-style architecture, tip slogan, and billboard) at tunnel entrances.

Methods: HRV indicators, including RMSSD, SDNN, LF, and LF/HF ratio, were analyzed to assess cognitive workload and physiological states.

Investigating the influence of eye-catching effect on mental workload in highway tunnel entrances: a comprehensive analysis of eye blink behavior.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between eye-catching effects and mental workload at highway tunnel entrances. Specifically, the study aimed to analyze drivers' eye blink behavior to gain a comprehensive understanding of how visual attraction at tunnel entrances affects cognitive workload.

Methods: 50 participants were recruited for the naturalistic driving experiment.

Impact of sidewall information on drivers' visual load among different lanes: Traditional guiding facilities and decorated pattern.

Objectives: This research aims to: (i) compare the effects of different sidewall entrainment facilities on drivers' visual behavior; (ii) compare the effects of the same sight entrainment facilities on drivers in different lanes; (iii) give recommendations for engineering applications based on the results of the study.

Methods: The study designed four different scenes, each with symmetrically designed visual facilities on the both sidewalls of the tunnel, scene a represents a typical urban tunnel in China (horizontal stripes on sidewalls), scene b includes vertical stripes on sidewalls in addition to scene a, scene c introduces an LED-arch based on scene b, and scene d features a rhythmic pattern (Wave pattern on sidewalls). 30 participants, 21 men and 9 women, aged 21-54, drove the four scenes.

A comprehensive evaluation of the frog effect on drivers in mountain highway tunnels - The effect of low-volume intermittent information.

Objective: The driver's inability to fully absorb and react to operational cues while driving is like boiling a frog in warm water. With intermittent, low-volume information, drivers can underreact by ignoring these minor but continuous changes. This paper aims to provide an opportunity to test the effects of intermittently occurring low-volume information on drivers.

Influence of an adjacent tunnel connecting zone shading shed on drivers' eye movement characteristics.

A tunnel shading shed is crucial in improving driving safety as a type of traffic facility to ease the transition of light environments. To study the effect of installation of a shading shed on the visual characteristics of drivers in the connecting zone of the adjacent tunnels, a total of 32 drivers were gathered to perform a real vehicle experiment. The study zone of the adjacent tunnels was divided into three sections: upstream tunnel exit; connecting zone; and downstream tunnel threshold zone.

Traffic safety comprehensive evaluation of urban tunnel visual guiding system based on extension matter-element model: a case study in tunnel curves.

Objective: The visual guiding system, as a tunnel traffic safety improvement method by using visual guiding facilities to actively guide driving safely, has been widely used in countries with many tunnels, in recent years. This paper aims to quantitatively study the comprehensive evaluation of traffic safety of the visual guiding system in tunnels, which has certain engineering application value and can provide support for the quantitative evaluation and optimal design of tunnel traffic safety.

Methods: Based on the analysis of the relevant factors of urban tunnel traffic safety, a multi-factor comprehensive evaluation system with 5 upper-level indicators and 12 basic-level indicators was proposed.

Analysis and regulation of driving behavior in the entrance zone of freeway tunnels: Implementation of visual guidance systems in China.

In China, visual guidance systems are commonly used in tunnels to optimize the visual reference system. However, studies focusing specifically on visual guidance systems in the tunnel entrance zone are limited. Hence, a driving simulation test is performed in this study to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of (i) visual guidance devices at different vertical positions (pavement and roadside) and (ii) a multilayer visual guidance system for regulating driving behavior in the tunnel entrance zone.

Unraveling the impact of fog on driver behavior in highway tunnel entrances: A field experiment.

Objectives: This research aims to (1) study the visual and psychological characteristics of drivers in foggy tunnel entrances, (2) compare driver behavior inside and outside foggy tunnels, and (3) propose improvement ideas based on the study results.

Methods: A realistic vehicle trial was conducted. Eight participants completed trials in both foggy and clear zones on the same roadway.

Evaluation of eye-catching effect in highway tunnel entrance area based on saccade behavior.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of visual attraction in the entrance areas of highway tunnels on drivers' saccade behavior and driving safety, with the objective of providing insights for tunnel entrance design and driver education.

Methods: Fifty participants were recruited for the naturalistic driving experiment. Four different visually attractive driving scenarios (baseline, landscape-style architecture, tip slogan, and billboard) were selected.

The effects of the traffic signs information volume on the visual characteristics and workload of novice and experienced drivers.

Background: The effects of traffic sign information volume (TSIV) on the visual characteristics and workload of novice and experienced drivers were investigated in this study. TSIV plays a crucial role in road traffic safety, and understanding its impact on drivers is essential for designing effective traffic sign systems.

Objective: This research aimed to compare the visual characteristics and workload of novice and experienced drivers under varying TSIV doses through simulated driving tests.

Evaluation of traffic signs information volume at highway tunnel entrance zone based on the visual sample entropy of novice and experienced drivers.

Objective: Traffic signs play a crucial role in ensuring road traffic safety, particularly in high-risk driving zones like the entrance zone of highway tunnels. However, the impact of traffic signs information volume (TSIV) on the performance of experienced and novice drivers in this specific zone remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the influence of TSIV on the visual sample entropy (SampEn) of both experienced and novice drivers in the entrance zone of highway tunnels.

The chemical damage of sandstone after sulfuric acid-rock reactions with different duration times and its influence on the impact mechanical behaviour.

The low-permeability characteristic of sandstone-type uranium deposits has become the key geological bottleneck during the in-situ leaching mining, seriously restricting the development and utilization of uranium resources in China. At present, the blasting-enhanced permeability (BEP) and acidizing-enhanced permeability (AEP) are confirmed to be mainstream approaches to enhance the reservoir permeability of low-permeability sandstone-type uranium deposit (LPSUD). To clarify the synergistic effect of BEP and AEP, the acid-rock reaction and dynamic impact experiments were conducted, aiming to study the effect of chemical reactions on pore structure, dynamic mechanical properties and failure pattern of sandstone.