Evaluating the impact of aggressive driving behavior on driving performance among young drivers : a simulator-based study | |
| Author | Visoth, Ith |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.TE-24-08 |
| Subject(s) | Automobile driving simulators Road safety |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Transportation Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Road safety is seriously threatened by aggressive driving behavior, especially among young drivers who are more prone to risk-taking behaviors like speeding, tailgating, abrupt lane changes, and harsh brakes. These actions put all road users at risk and significantly increase the chance of accidents. To improve driving performance and encourage safer roads for all, it is crucial to study the effects of aggressive driving behavior to identify important risk factors and direct effective interventions. This study utilizes the Aggressive Driving Behavior Questionnaire (ADBQ) and Driving Simulator to evaluate how aggressive driving behavior affects driving performance. 100 respondents between the ages of 18 and 25 are first chosen to fill out the questionnaire, which evaluates six categories, including (1) violent behavior, (2) verbal confrontation, (3) aggressive mindset, (4) impulsive driving, (5) emotional outrage, and (6) conflict avoidance. 40 participants from this group were chosen for the driving simulation study to evaluate their driving performance, 20 of whom were classified as extremely aggressive drivers and the other 20 as non-aggressive drivers. The first scenario evaluates perception reaction time on a two-lane rural highway with oncoming traffic.Participants accelerate to 90 km/h before responding to a stop sign, with brake reaction times measured over five trials. The second scenario evaluates the velocity, following distance, frequency of lane changes, and frequency of harsh brakes on a divided four lane highway with moderate to heavy traffic. Participants navigate merging into highways, highway exits, and re-entry highways under varying traffic densities, testing their driving behavior under increasing frustration levels. According to the ADBQs results, conflict avoidance lowers the likelihood of aggression, but verbal confrontation, impulsive driving, and emotional outrage all significantly contribute to aggressive driving behavior. There is a marginally higher tendency for aggression among suburban residents. Aggressive driving poses a serious threat to road safety, particularly among young drivers who are more likely to engage in risky actions like speeding, tailgating, and sudden lane changes. These behaviors greatly increase the risk of crashes and endanger all road users. Studying the impact of aggressive driving is essential for identifying key risk factors and guiding effective interventions to improve driving performance and promote safer roads for everyone. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Transportation Engineering (TE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kunnawee Kanitpong |
| Examination Committee(s) | Natakorn Phuksuksakul;Bhatt, Ayushman |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Scholarships |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2025 |