Associate Director (Research)
Gulf Coast Research Center for Evacuation and Transportation Resiliency
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Louisiana State University

The two -fluid model is traditionally derived from particle physics at low temperature. Earlier studies have shown that driver behavior has a significant effect on the parameters of the two-fluid model. These parameters can also be used to characterize driving behavior (aggressive/conservative). This presentation describes two studies undertaken by the author and results indicating aggressive behavior during the mornings and on arterial roads having high crash rates. Motivated by these studies, the two-fluid model is derived from expected utility. Using two-fluid model from the various cities in 1990-91 in America this relationship was validated. Also interesting conclusions can be drawn regarding the regimes under which the two-fluid model is valid. Using the data conclusions regarding the average perception of drivers in 1990-91 in America could be drawn. The parameters of the utility model can be utilized to evaluate training and educational programs for new drivers, to ensure that crashes do not occur due to skewed perception, and help improve safety. The utility model has the potential of being used to engineer human driving behavior.