Interventions to reduce the speed of cyclists in work zones—cyclists' evaluation in a controlled environment

Kircher, Katja; Niska, Anna · 2024 · Crossref

DOI: 10.55329/ohhx5659

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Summary

This study addresses the lack of systematic research on speed-reducing interventions for cyclists in road work zones, where current guidelines often fail to account for cyclist safety, leading to unpredictable situations and high crash risks. The authors investigated four specific interventions—a soft mat, visual ‘MeBeSafe’ markings, a rumble mat, and a chicane—to evaluate their effects on cyclist speed, attention, and comfort. The research aimed to determine if these measures could sustainably reduce speed without causing distraction or discomfort, which are critical factors in hazardous work zone environments. The experiment was conducted in a controlled setting using a 300-meter circular test track. Thirty cyclists of varying ages and bicycle types (including comfort, cargo, road, and hybrid bikes) participated. Each cyclist first completed baseline trials to establish their natural riding speed. They then encountered each of the four interventions eight times in succession. Data collection involved video cameras mounted on bicycles and the track to record behavioral adaptations (such as braking or coasting), while eye-tracking glasses worn by nine participants measured visual attention and glance behavior. After the trials, participants completed a questionnaire assessing their subjective comfort, perceived risk, and overall impression of each intervention. The results indicated that while all interventions caused an immediate drop in speed during the first encounter, cyclists’ speeds returned to baseline levels by the third trial, regardless of the intervention type. This suggests that none of the measures provided a sustainable speed reduction. Behavioral analysis revealed that cyclists adapted differently to each device; for instance, the rumble mat and chicane prompted significantly more braking and coasting before the intervention compared to the soft mat and visual markings. Notably, the rumble mat frequently caused speeds below 10 km/h, a threshold where bicycle stability is compromised, particularly for cargo bike and comfort bike riders. Eye-tracking data showed that interventions captured significantly more attention than the baseline, with cyclists focusing heavily on the devices themselves rather than the surrounding environment. This attention capture persisted or increased with familiarity for the chicane, posing a risk in unpredictable work zones. Subjectively, interventions causing vibrations, such as the rumble mat, were rated as the least comfortable. The study concludes that speed-reducing interventions for cyclists must be applied with caution. While they may initially slow cyclists, the effect is not sustained, and the devices can induce dangerous behaviors, such as riding at speeds too low for stability or excessive distraction from the traffic environment. The findings imply that engineering interventions designed for motor vehicles are often unsuitable for cyclists. Future guidelines for work zones should weigh the potential benefits of speed reduction against the risks of increased crash likelihood due to distraction and instability, potentially favoring measures that do not compromise cyclist attention or comfort.

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Topics

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• work zones
• cyclist safety