Impact of risk illusions on traffic flow in fog weather.

In this study, an extended car-following model is proposed to investigate the impacts of driver's risk illusions on traffic flow stability, velocity, acceleration and headway fluctuation frequency in fog weather. Through stability analysis and numerical simulation, the results indicate that risk illusions weaken the stabilization of traffic system. Furthermore, it is shown that the proposed model is more dangerous than the full velocity difference model from the perspectives of the maximum velocity and acceleration. Additionally, risk illusions increase the headway fluctuation frequency, which means that more adjustments of the headway are needed, increasing driver's workload. Therefore, the impact of risk illusions on traffic flow is disadvantageous. • A car-following model is proposed by considering the risk illusions in fog weather. • Risk illusions weaken the stability of traffic flow. • The impacts of risk illusions on traffic velocity, acceleration and headway fluctuation frequency are studied. • The results can be used to explain why traffic accidents are more likely to happen in fog weather. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]