Driver attention in urban intersections when crossing paths with cyclists

Ahlström, Christer; Kircher, Katja; Johansson, Fredrik; Andersson, Anders; Olstam, Johan · 2025 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2025.108276

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Summary

This study investigates the visual attention of car drivers at urban unsignalized intersections, specifically focusing on the failure to check for cyclists approaching from behind during turning maneuvers. The research addresses a critical safety issue where motor vehicles crossing cycle paths often neglect over-the-shoulder glances, leading to hazardous "right-hook" conflicts. The authors aim to determine whether this neglect is driven by individual driver characteristics or systemic factors, examining how turning direction, cross traffic, and cyclist presence influence scanning behavior. The researchers conducted a simulator study with 44 participants using a fixed-base driving simulator equipped with an eXtended Reality (XR) headset providing 360° immersion and eye-tracking capabilities. Participants were categorized by urban cycling experience (experienced vs. inexperienced) and self-reported driving style (cautious vs. assertive). The experimental design involved 16 scenarios at four-way yield-controlled intersections, manipulating turning direction (left/right), the presence of a cyclist from behind, and cross-traffic conditions. Driver attention was assessed using the Minimum Required Attention (MiRA) framework, which defines specific spatial zones and gaze targets necessary for safe maneuvering. Data included gaze direction, head movements, and post-drive questionnaires assessing knowledge of right-of-way rules. Results indicated that in 47.8% of intersection approaches, participants failed to adequately check for cyclists approaching from behind. This neglect was consistent regardless of whether a cyclist was actually present, suggesting drivers do not systematically scan for this traffic stream. While cautious drivers with cycling experience made fewer errors, all groups generally performed poorly in checking for rearward cyclists. In contrast, drivers were more consistent in checking for cross-traffic. Post-drive questionnaires revealed that only half of the participants correctly identified the requirement to check for cyclists from behind. Logistic regression analyses confirmed that turning direction significantly affected glance patterns, but neither cycling experience nor driving style consistently predicted adequate scanning for rearward cyclists. The study concludes that the failure to check for cyclists is a systemic issue rather than an individual trait, attributed to the less obvious nature of rearward traffic, the physical effort required for over-the-shoulder glances, and the lack of explicit warnings. The findings suggest that drivers’ mental models often exclude the need to check behind them, potentially reinforced by cyclists pre-empting collisions. The authors argue that improving safety requires interventions that counteract these systemic biases, such as infrastructure changes or regulatory updates, rather than relying solely on driver education or individual behavioral adjustments.

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Topics

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• looked but failed to see
• driver vru interaction
• pedestrian behavior perception
• inattentional change blindness