Relationships between discretionary lane-changing and traffic conditions

Abstract

This paper evaluates the probability of discretionary lane-changing as functions of speed difference and density difference between adjoining lanes under congested traffic condition. NGSIM trajectory data were aggregated via mesoscopic approach and analyzed to obtain detailed information on traffic conditions near discretionary lane-changing maneuvers. We first constructed joint probability distribution of lane-changing in speed difference and density difference domain. The distribution shows that speed difference and density difference significantly influence lane-changing rate. The probability distribution is then quantified by using logistic regression. The result showed that drivers change the lane more frequently as target cell has higher speed and lower density than origin cell. It is also found that the relationship between the probability of lane-changes and speed difference is nonlinear, as well as the relationship between the probability of lane-changing and density difference.