Which factors are most relevant to drivers’ overtaking choices at two-lane highways: A comparative analysis between questionnaire surveys and driving simulation

•The relative importance of four factors influencing drivers' overtaking choices at two-lane highways is investigated.•Both the questionnaire survey approach and the driving simulation experiment approach are adopted.•Thedistancetooppositevehicle (OPD) is one of the most important factors under consideration.•Thetypeofimpedingvehicle (IMT) is more important in drivers’ actual operations than in their subjective judgments.•The relative importance of the speed of impeding vehicle (IMV) and thespeedofopposite vehicle (OPV) is not consistent.