Driving pattern in urban areas - descriptive analysis and initial prediction model

Driving pattern, i.e. the speed profiles of vehicles, was studied in connection with variables in the driver-car-environment system. Data were collected using five measuring cars that were driven by 29 randomly chosen families for two weeks each. The cars were equipped with data-logging devices that enabled studies of the speed and acceleration patterns of the vehicles as well as engine speed and gear changing. For connection to external conditions co-ordinates for positions were registered with global positioning system (GPS) receivers. The GPS co-ordinates were matched to a digitised map to which detailed street parameters, such as street function, speed limit, width, and traffic flow had been attributed. A descriptive analysis of driving patterns on 21 street types was accomplished. A large set of driving pattern measures including speed, acceleration, power use, engine speed, and gear changing behaviour are reported for different street types. Further, a cause effect model for the variation of driving patterns was estimated. The model included effects of driver characteristics, car performance and street environment as well as some important interactions between variables. The model was found to predict the variation of speed with acceptable explanatory power. For other driving pattern measures significant effects were estimated for street type as well as driver variables. However, the explanatory power was low; the reasons for this are discussed, and bases for new model structures are outlined