Road Geometry Safety Evaluation Based on Driver Behavior Using a Driving Simulator*

As vehicle performance improves, some countries have constructed and operated highways with design speeds up to 140 or 160 km/h. The design speed is determined by the road geometry and has a significant impact on the driving speed. Therefore, to construct highways with high design speeds, it is necessary to evaluate whether they have a convenient and safe road geometry. Road geometry is designed by combining various individual design elements such as horizontal alignments, vertical alignments, and super-elevation. The overall safety of the road must be evaluated by considering the minimum standards for each design element, connectivity between road segments, and design consistency of the entire segment. This study evaluates the safety of road geometry by analyzing simulation data driven by a road designed at a speed of 140 km/h. Evaluation indices are selected to evaluate driving safety based on the road geometry, and measures are proposed by identifying road geometry segments with insufficient driving safety. The road geometry safety evaluation method using the driving simulator presented in this study can contribute to safe and cost-effective road design in the future.