DRIVER AGE DIFFERENCES IN DAY AND NIGHT GAP ACCEPTANCE CAPABILITIES

Performance of Two-way Stop-controlled (TWSC) intersections is greatly affected by the gap acceptance capabilities of drivers. However, there have been no detailed studies conducted regarding driver age differences in gap acceptance capabilities under different light conditions. Therefore, this study was conducted to fill the lack of information in that area, by considering three driver age groups (old, middle, and young), two maneuvers (left-turn, and through), and two light conditions (daytime, and nighttime). Field observations were made at several TWSC intersections and data were collected at these sites regarding available and accepted gaps on the major street and age group of minor street drivers, both during daytime and nighttime. Statistical analysis conducted in this study with a 5% level of significance revealed that there were significant differences in gap acceptance capabilities among the three driver age groups under both light conditions. Only older drivers indicated statistically different gap acceptance capabilities depending on the light condition, where they illustrated longer critical gap values during nighttime