Abstract:In the system of Class I highways in mountainous areas, the tunnels and at-grade intersections are not only core components that connect the road network and ensure traffic flow, but also high-accident areas due to characteristics such as the convergence of traffic flows and sudden environmental changes. Current highway design specifications do not clearly stipulate the reasonable spacing between tunnel exits and at-grade intersections, resulting in a lack of unified reference for designers in practical work. By analyzing the driving behaviors of drivers and the vehicle operation trajectories, a spacing calculation model for tunnel exits and at-grade intersections is built from four core dimensions such as light-dark adaptation, sign recognition, vehicle lane changing and smooth entry. Combined with design speed and number of lanes, the specific reference values are proposed in order to provide theoretical support and technical basis for the improvement of specifications and engineering design.