• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.397-407
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• 2017

This study investigated current status of rest area for drowsy drivers on the highways and drew the related issues to define specifications and design criteria regarding expressway rest area for drowsy drivers on the highways. Based on the investigation result, geometric structure specifications and improvement plans are suggested. The entry part of a rest area for drowsy drivers on the highways was divided into deceleration transition section, deceleration lane and entry connection road while the exit part was divided into exit connection road, acceleration lane and acceleration transition section. The optimum length was estimated by considering the main lane vehicle traveling speed, traveling speed at the beginning/end point of entry/exit connection roads, deceleration and acceleration. In addition, reasonable design criteria were suggested by dividing the parking section of rest area for drowsy drivers according to parking style and cross-section composition, and length of parking space and then considering the ratio of vehicles using rest area for drowsy drivers, the ratio of heavy vehicles, and the design speed within a rest area for drowsy drivers. It is believed that the suggested design criteria on rest area for drowsy drivers on the highways can be utilized in the future planning and maintenance of rest area for drowsy drivers. Additionally, the defined criteria on installing rest area for drowsy drivers on the highways will prevent traffic accidents in resting facilities and highways as well as improve usage and safety of them.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

PURPOSES : In this study, design elements of rest areas for drowsy drivers are classified and appropriate criteria for each design element are presented. METHODS : By comparing and analyzing the design criteria for rest areas, the most appropriate installation criteria were suggested by considering the driving patterns of rest area users. RESULTS : As a result of the study, elements influencing the design of rest areas for drowsy drivers are suggested such as installation location and installation type. In addition, proper separation distance between resting areas was suggested considering vehicle flow, users' fatigue and physiological needs. Other criteria for rest areas were also suggested. CONCLUSIONS : Proper safety facilities were not installed in rest areas because appropriate criteria were not established. In this study, design elements were derived and installation criteria were designed so that rest areas could be used safely and conveniently.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.54-66
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• 2018

In this study, vehicle speeds at acceleration and deceleration lanes of rest areas for drowsy drivers were investigated to analyze effects of acceleration and deceleration lane lengths, grades and curve radius. In addition, we used VISSM to analyze proper lengths of rest area's acceleration and deceleration lanes. Several VISSIM scenarios with different lengths of acceleration and deceleration lane were constructed. Through VISSIM simulation, we collected individual vehicle speed data to analyze speed changes by different lengths of acceleration and deceleration lanes. As a result of the vehicle speed change investigation, grades and curve radii of the rest area affected the speed, most of all lengths of acceleration and deceleration lane showed a great effect on the vehicle speed. In the case of short lengths of acceleration and deceleration lane, speed variation among vehicles was significant. If the deceleration lane length is short, the vehicle enters a state in which the speed is not sufficiently reduced, and if the acceleration lane length is short, the vehicle enters a state in which the speed is not sufficiently accelerated showing high risks of conflicts and accidents. It is recommended that 245m length of deceleration lane and 370m length of acceleration lane should be installed at least to secure safety and manage conflicts relevantly.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.63-75
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• 2018

A Service Area plays an important role in preventing accidents in advance by creating a space for long distance drivers or drowsy drivers to rest. Therefore, proper positioning of the expressway service area is essential, and it is important to analyze accurate demand forecasting and user travel behavior. Thus, this study analysis travel behavior and developed odel of the probability of using the service area by using the DSRC data collected by the RSE on the highway. According to the analysis, the usage behavior of highway service areas was most frequently when travel time was 90 minutes or more on weekdays and 70 minutes or more on weekends. The utilization rate of the service area estimated from the probability model of use of the rest area in this study was 1 % to 2 % error. The results of this study are meaningful in analyzing the behavior of the use of rest areas using the structured data and can be used as a differentiated strategy for selecting the location of rest areas and enhancing the service level of users.