Study on Driving Risk Value in Merging Area of Freeway Work Zone

Considering driving speed and merging angle, the measure of traffic conflict was proposed based on the characteristics of merging behavior in a freeway work zone. The calculation model of driving risk value was established in a merging area of a freeway work zone. The vertical component of the driving speed was used to describe the driving risk value in merging area of freeway work zone. Based on the traffic conflicts risk criterion and test data, the traffic conflicts level was defined in the merging area of freeway work zone. The results of this study show that the driving risk value of dangerous, moderate, and security states are (∞, 5), (3.55,5] and (0,3.55], respectively, in the merging area of a freeway work zone.