Psychological responses of motorcar drivers to flashing amber lights at signalised T-intersections

Galappaththi, K.; Herath, O. K.; Bandara, Y. M.; Shaja, M. M. M.

Abstract

The accurate and timely decision making of drivers is vital to ensuring public safety and reaching the destination in time. This paper presents a detailed comparison of the expectation of regulatory bodies in implementing flashing amber lights and explores the actual driver responses to flashing amber lights at a signalised T-intersection by taking speed variation as a proxy for their decision making. A survey was conducted at a signalised T-intersection during the operation of flashing amber lights to measure the speed variation. Time-distance and speed gun techniques were used to collect speed data of motor cars. Results reflect those drivers show only a marginal response to flashing amber lights. Therefore, the intention of regulatory bodies that vehicles maintaining lower speed at a T-intersection with flashing amber lights was not satisfactorily fulfilled. The marginal response of drivers to flashing amber lights can be a leading cause of accidents occurring in signalised T-intersections at odd (night) hours.

Citation

Galappaththi, K., Herath, O. K., Bandara, Y. M., & Shaja, M. M. M. (2021). Psychological responses of motorcar drivers to flashing amber lights at signalised T-intersections. Journal of South Asian Logistics and Transport, 1(2), 19-33. https://doi.org/10.4038/jsalt.v1i2.32

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Sep 24, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: May 12, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 27, 2023
• Journal: Journal of South Asian logistics and transport
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 19-33
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/jsalt.v1i2.32
• Keywords: Transport psychology, Driver behaviour, Driver utility, Safety, Flashing amber light signalling
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2869490