Journal Article

Preliminary analysis on the effects of land use, road geometry, and traffic control on the driving stress of two-wheeler riders

Achmad, A, Sugiarto, S, Saleh, S M., Meilinda, I M

2025

Overview

Urban environments present unique challenges for operators of two-wheeled vehicles, often increasing stress levels owing to various external factors. This study employed Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis in the frequency domain to examine the stress levels of two-wheeler drivers. It addresses a critical gap in understanding how aspects such as land use, road geometry, and traffic control contribute to stress among drivers in urban settings. The research involved monitoring twenty-five participants along a route from Syiah Kuala St to Dr. Mohd Hasan St using a Polar Vantage 2 watch with GPS to measure heart rates. A GoPro Max 360 camera was used to document surrounding land use, road geometry, and traffic conditions. Data analysis was conducted using the Multiple Indicators and Multiple Causes (MIMIC) model to identify the latent variables affecting stress levels. Techniques such as the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and autoregressive (AR) were applied to assess stress indicators, including the LF/HF ratio. The findings indicate that land-use factors, such as river areas, commercial zones, and office districts, significantly influence stress levels. Additionally, road geometry features, such as straight roads and intersections, along with traffic conditions involving traffic lights also play crucial roles. This study underscores the importance of considering these factors in urban planning and traffic management for mitigating driver stress.

• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Subject: Autoregressive processes / Data analysis / Driving conditions / Fast Fourier transformations / Fourier transforms / Geometry / Global positioning systems / GPS / Heart rate / Indicators / Land use / Roads & highways / Traffic control / Traffic management / Traffic signals / Urban areas / Urban environments / Urban planning