Sun Glare Impacts on Freeway Congestion: Geometric Model and Empirical Analysis
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 138, Issue 10
Abstract
In this paper, a geometric model for predicting locations and times where sun glare has the potential to affect drivers on roadways was developed. Existing or prospective highway alignments can be considered. The method includes appropriate geometric models of the roadway alignment, astronomical computations for the relative position of the sun in the sky, and corrections for atmospheric refraction. Novel graphical tools were introduced to indicate the results of the model, which include sets of time and location where sun glare should be expected. The hypothesis that sun glare has an effect on congestion was tested by comparing real speed data from locations and times at which the geometric model indicates the presence of sun glare with those at which it does not. Sun glare is shown to have a statistically significant impact on mean traffic speeds.
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Acknowledgements
The authors respectfully acknowledge Mr. Gilbert Chlewicki of Dewberry for his assistance in selecting a case study location and Mr. Bernie Saggese of the Maryland State Highway Administration for his assistance in obtaining highway data.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 138 • Issue 10 • October 2012
Pages: 1196 - 1204
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 8, 2011
Accepted: Feb 13, 2012
Published online: Feb 16, 2012
Published in print: Oct 1, 2012
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