Research on Sign-Setting Method of Integral Ultra-Wide Section Freeway Based on Driving Simulation

The integral ultra-wide section freeway has many lanes and a large traffic volume. Compared with general freeways, it has many traffic conflicts, a complex driving environment, a high risk of traffic operation, and a high probability of accidents. Therefore, it is urgent to study how to provide travelers with clear and concise guidance information. In this paper, under the traffic organization mode of lane separation and control, firstly, we propose the principles of grading guidance messages and sign layouts for different lanes facing the inner/outer side. Then, the Guangzhou–Shenzhen High-Speed Reconstruction and Expansion Project is the basis for studying the method of sign setting for the integral ultra-wide section freeway. Vehicle trajectory data and physiological data are collected to analyze the clustering characteristics of drivers’ lane-changing points with different combinations of setting schemes, and then to study the effectiveness and reasonableness of the signage guidelines for entrance/exit and transition sections of different traffic organizations. Finally, the results show that drivers can drive smoothly to their destinations according to the rules under the proposed sign-setting method. The research results not only safeguard the essential safety of the integral ultra-wide section freeway from the perspective of static safety protection and ensure that drivers drive to their destinations accurately, quickly, and safely but also provide new ideas for the research and application of similar projects, further improving the traffic management facilities setting system of China’s freeways in typical scenarios and playing an essential guiding role in improving the guideline setting method of ultra-wide section freeway.