T-junction priority scheme and road user’s yielding behavior

Abstract Four studies investigated yielding behavior in yield-controlled T-junctions that differed for two priority schemes. In one case road users in the intersecting arm had to give way to road users in the straight arm (priority to straight arm). In the other case road users in the straight arm had to give way to road users approaching from the intersecting arm (priority to intersecting arm). In two studies, yielding behavior was assessed with approaching speed and gaze behavior to the critical areas of the intersection. Two additional studies monitored road users’ speed and eye movements approaching the intersection. The results of the two behavioral studies showed a significant speed reduction and an increase of driver’s visual inspection to the intersection area in the priority-to-straight-arm condition in comparison to the priority-to-intersecting-arm condition. The eye movement analysis showed that total fixation time towards the intersection critical area and horizontal eye movements were significantly higher in the priority-to-straight-arm condition. The results emphasize the importance of considering perceptual affordances and expectations for priority in intersection design to increase drivers’ compliance to yielding rules.