Exploring the relationship between driver behaviour and safety perception during merging manoeuvres in work zones

Work zone merging represents a critical aspect of roadway infrastructure maintenance but often introduces elevated safety risks due to dynamic lane configurations, temporary traffic controls, and the complex, rapid decision-making required from drivers in controlled environments. While previous research has carried out studies related to safety perception in work zone areas, limited attention has been paid to how driving behaviour factors interact with safety perception during merging, particularly under varying vehicle configurations. This study addresses this gap by examining how individual differences in driving behaviour influence drivers’ perceived safety when navigating merging manoeuvres in work zones. An online survey was conducted targeting drivers from Australia and the United Kingdom, capturing safety perceptions across 16 simulated merging scenarios, including work zone and baseline cases. In addition, respondents completed a Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) to assess latent behavioural traits. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to reduce the dimensionality of the data and extract underlying behavioural and perceptual constructs. These components were then used as predictors in Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) to model safety perceptions under different surrounding vehicle configurations while merging. The findings provide nuanced insights into how specific driving behaviour traits, such as cognitive errors and competitive tendencies, relate to perceived safety during complex merging situations. The results offer a data-driven basis for improving risk assessment frameworks and tailoring driver-targeted interventions in work zones.