# Impact of Intersection Left Turn Guide Lines Configuration on Novice Drivers' Behavior
## 1 Introduction  
Intersections, frequent sites of traffic conflicts, contribute significantly to urban accidents, with over 50% occurring at these locations, causing about 20% of total fatalities [1]. Left-turn conflicts at intersections stand out as a major concern, especially given the complexities of decision-making during left turns compared to right turns. Left turns involve longer durations and greater distances but often lack specific lane markings, presenting challenges, particularly for novice drivers. In China, with 456 million drivers by 2020, those with less than one year of experience constituted 4.90%, and those with less than three years comprised 17.48%. Novice drivers, whose accident rates are 2 to 3 times higher, underscore the importance of improving left-turn safety at intersections to reduce overall accident numbers [2]. Numerous scholars have extensively investigated left-turn conflicts at intersections, employing various research methods such as on-site observations [3; 4], intersection simulation experiments [5; 6; 7], accident report analyses [8], and computer vision technologies [9; 10; 11]. For instance, [PERSON] et al. used simulation techniques to examine the impact of left-turn path variations on traffic plans, intersection safety, and efficiency [7]. To understand the influencing factors and mechanisms of left-turn conflicts, scholars have delved into modeling and analyzing drivers' left-turn behavior and trajectories [12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19]. Some researchers utilized eye-tracking devices to analyze drivers' behaviors [20; 21; 22]. To mitigate left-turn conflicts, scholars have extensively researched intersection design and signal control, encompassing improvements in intersection design, optimized signal control, lane markings, and the integration of intelligent transportation systems [23; 24; 25; 26]. Notably, [PERSON] et al. assessed the effectiveness of unsignalized \(J\)-turn intersection designs, revealinga 31.2% reduction in overall accident frequency and a 63.8% decrease in injury and fatal accidents [24]. The J-turn intersection design, also known as a Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCUT), alters the way left turns and through movements are handled from cross-street approaches. Instead of making direct left turns, vehicles on minor roads first make a right turn and then perform a U-turn at a designated location to continue in their desired direction. This design helps to reduce the number of conflict points and improve overall traffic safety. Addressing traffic conflicts involving same-direction left turns, scholars advocate for the use of guide lines at intersections. [PERSON] et al. analyzed left-turning vehicle trajectories, speed variations, and flow changes, concluding that controlling vehicle turns with left-turn guide lines effectively reduces traffic delays and conflicts [27]. Guide lines not only assist drivers in locating exit lanes promptly, improving traffic flow efficiency, but also regulate driver behavior, mitigate conflicts, and enhance left-turning vehicle safety. Proper guide line settings contribute to increased efficiency and reduced conflict risks for left-turning vehicles at intersections. In essence, understanding the driving behavior of left-turning drivers at intersections is crucial for minimizing intersection conflicts. While existing studies often focus on trajectory models and driving simulator analyses for left turns, there is a notable gap in research on the effectiveness of guide lines, particularly in relation to novice drivers' left-turning behavior. In this study, novice drivers, defined as those with less than one year of driving experience, are the primary focus. The research involves designing driving simulator scenarios based on intersections in Lingang of Shanghai, analyzing novice drivers' left-turn behavior using data on trajectories, speeds, steering angles, and eye-tracking.