Human Factors in Highway Design and Operations

Abstract

Highway design and operational suitability is largely based on the ability of drivers to use the roads safely and efficiently. Designers and highway and traffic engineers should have an appreciation of basic human factor considerations to provide suitable designs, maintain proper operations, and upgrade substandard roads. Key Positive Guidance principles leading to design and operational suitability include: Driver Reception and Use of Information, based on an “information‐decision‐action” driving task model; Information Handling Characteristics, predicated on driver “single channel” attributes; Decision Sight Distance to provide a margin for error in a cluttered environment; Driver Expectancy and Design Consistency in design and operations, and Driver Error reduction through proper design and operational procedures and information presentation. Given the present situation of limited resources, the highest pay‐off for the application of human factor considerations is to enhance the operations and safety of existing arterials, city streets, and rural roads.