Analysis of Guide Signs at Closely Dense Exit Section of Freeway Based on Driving Behavior

Freeway sections with closely spaced exits are one of the most critical and challenging aspects of freeways, but limited studies have investigated the factors affecting driving behavior in these sections. This study investigated the influence of the traffic signs’ effectiveness on driving behavior on such special sections, using a driving simulator. Considering that two types of independent variables (ramp spacing and combined sign scheme) have main and interactive effects on driving behavior, a total of eight experimental schemes were designed, and 32 drivers were recruited to participate in the experiments. Twelve driving behavior variables were used to study the significance and influence degree of each index on driving behavior through repeated-measures ANOVA. The results indicate that a reasonable design of guide signs is beneficial to traffic safety in freeway at closely dense exits, providing a theoretical basis for safe freeway design.