Normal Acceleration Behavior of Passenger Vehicles Starting from Rest at All-Way Stop-Controlled Intersections

Abstract

Acceleration characteristics of passenger cars starting from rest are often used in traffic simulation, modeling of vehicle fuel consumption and emissions, and design of intersections, acceleration lanes for entrance terminals, turning bays, and passing lanes. Most of the previous studies developed four different acceleration models: the constant acceleration model, the two-phase model, the linear-decreasing acceleration model, and the polynomial acceleration model. However, most of the studies were based on outdated and limited data, so their conclusions may not be applicable for the current vehicle fleet and drivers. The normal acceleration behavior of current passenger vehicles starting from rest at all-way stop-controlled intersections is evaluated, and the previous acceleration models are verified with recent observations. A comparison is included between the acceleration behaviors of straight and turning maneuvers and the influence of speed limits on acceleration rates, and two new polynomial models are developed for driver acceleration behavior for turning maneuvers versus straight maneuver acceleration from a stopped condition.