Applying Perceptual Treatments for Reducing Operating Speeds on Curves: A Driving Simulator Study for Investigating Driver’s Speed Behavior

The aim of this driving simulator study is to investigate the effectiveness of different speed-reducing measures on a sharp curve of an existing road. Specifically, three perceptual treatments (white peripheral transverse bars, red peripheral transverse bars and optical speed bars) and chevrons are tested by means of a driving simulator over a randomly selected sample of forty-four drivers. The observed driving speeds are finally compared to those recorded under a baseline condition (with no treatment). Results confirmed the enormous potential of driving simulators in assessing the viability and design of several speed-reducing measures, especially those related to drivers’ perceptions that are strongly based on human factors issues, thereby allowing the selection of the most effective one in terms of cost reduction and safety promotion, in view of its actual implementation on the field.