• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.6D
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• pp.663-673
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• 2009

Driver's perceived curve radius is different from actual curve radius at curve sections. This is called visual distortion. It has effect on operation speed according to driver's perception and finally bad effect on safety at curve sections. At present, however, there is no research on quantitatively analysis of visual distortion and no criteria for curve section design considering the visual distortion. Therefore, this study focus on finding degree of visual distortion and suggesting design criteria by visual distortion analysis. The process of this study is as below; First, a calculaiton model of perceived curve radius was developed by survey using computer simulation. In this model, a dependent variable is perceived curve radius and an independent variable is geometric factors. Second, degree of visual distortion was calculated from ratio of perceived curve radius to actual curve radius. Finally, design criteria were suggested through influencing factor analysis of visual distortion at curve sections.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.4D
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• pp.395-402
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• 2010

The seriousness of a traffic accident appears relatively higher on the curve sections compared with the straight sections due to a change in speed caused by a change in the driver's sight. In particular, the visual distortion phenomenon, one of the dangerous factors taking place on the curve sections, appears different according to the road's geometric design. Although it is a genuinely principal design factor which should be necessarily considered in designing a road, the previous researches on establishing the design standards for it have been insufficiently conducted. As a result, the establishment of the road design standards for the curve sections considering the sight distortion phenomenon is desperately required. This research examined the previous researches on the driver's behaviors, the driver's sight characteristics and the perceived curve radius on the curve sections, and developed the theoretical model of perceived curve radius to which a mathematical technique is applied in consideration of the visual distortion phenomenon on the two-lane curve sections in a local area. In addition, after the theoretical visual distortion was calculated on the basis of the theoretical model of perceived curve radius, the range of error on the theoretical recognition radius model formula was verified through comparing it with the previous researches' experiential visual distortion level and analyzing both of them. As a result, it was observed that as the curve radius practically increases in the theoretical recognition curve radius, the range of error tends to go down, which reflects well the characteristics of the curve sections on the road. Based on this research, it is expected that this research will be helpful to eliminate the safety defects when designing the curve sections and contribute to develop the road design standards considering human factors in the future.

• 한국도로학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.25-32
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• 2009