Increasing motorcycles attention and search conspicuity by using Alternating-Blinking Lights System (ABLS)

Area of Science:

• Road Safety
• Human Factors in Transportation
• Perception and Vision

Background:

• Powered Two-Wheelers (PTWs) have poor conspicuity, a major factor in accidents.
• Rider attire and environmental conditions significantly impact PTW detectability.
• Existing conspicuity aids may be insufficient in dynamic traffic scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess how rider outfits influence PTW detectability.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of an Alternating-Blinking Lights System (ABLS) in enhancing PTW conspicuity.
• To understand the interplay between environmental factors and PTW visibility.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments involving visual search of traffic video clips.
• Assessed attention and search conspicuity under varying ambient illumination, road types, and distances.
• Measured detection rates and reaction times with different rider outfits and the ABLS.

Main Results:

• Environmental context strongly affects PTW detection.
• The ABLS significantly increased PTW attention and search conspicuity, especially at dusk and in urban settings.
• Lower luminance decreased detection rates and increased reaction times, effects mitigated by the ABLS.

Conclusions:

• The ABLS is a potent conspicuity aid for PTWs, outperforming other evaluated treatments.
• Enhancing PTW conspicuity requires addressing both attention and search factors, considering environmental perception.
• Riders should use conspicuity aids resilient to environmental changes, while drivers' expectancy of PTWs needs improvement.