Risk Assessment of Freeway Debris with Multifactor Analysis: A Driving Simulation Method

Freeway debris poses a threat to driving safety, emphasizing the crucial importance of assessing the risk level associated with freeway debris incidents. This study devised a simulated driving experiment plan for assessing freeway debris incidents under the influence of three factors: debris type, lane position, and lighting condition. The basic operational data of drivers were collected in various driving scenarios. An assessment indicator system was established using six indicators: speed standard deviation, lane-changing point location, maximum steering wheel angle, maximum steering wheel speed, lane gap standard deviation, and acceleration. The risk level of different freeway debris incidents was assessed using the factor analysis method. The results indicate that the risk level of debris incidents is ranked as follows: tire > wooden crate > tarpaulin > plastic bottle, lane 1 > lane 2, nighttime > daytime. This study can provide a theoretical basis for early warning and control of freeway debris.