Cyclist conspicuity: A review of the literature and the role of clothing color
DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2011.09.038
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Abstract
This may be the author’s version of a work that was submitted/accepted for publication in the following source: Wood, Joanne, Tyrrell, Richard, Marszalek, Ralph, Lacherez, Philippe, Carberry, Trent, & Chu, Byoung (2012) Using reflective clothing to enhance the conspicuity of bicyclists at night. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 45, pp. 726-730. This file was downloaded from: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/47281/ © Consult author(s) regarding copyright matters This work is covered by copyright. Unl
Summary
Closed-road night-driving experiment evaluating reflective clothing on bicyclist conspicuity. Twelve younger and twelve older drivers drove a closed circuit at the Mt Cotton Driver Training Centre and indicated when they first saw a bicyclist pedaling in place wearing one of three clothing conditions (black; reflective vest; vest plus ankle and knee reflectors), crossed with bicycle-light condition (none, static, flashing). Ankle-and-knee markings substantially improved recognition and response distance over the vest alone, particularly in the absence of bicycle lights. Older drivers responded much less often than younger drivers (55% vs. 86%) and at only 38% of the response distance, consistent with age-related declines in low-luminance vision.
Key finding
Reflective markings on a bicyclist's ankles and knees - exploiting biological-motion cues - produced larger gains in nighttime conspicuity than a reflective vest alone or bicycle lights, for both younger and older drivers.
Methodology
On-road closed-circuit nighttime study with two age groups (12 younger, 12 older) driving a test vehicle while a stationary bicyclist pedaled in place under a 3 (clothing) x 3 (bicycle light) within-subject design; outcomes were recognition rate and response distance.
Sample size: 24 drivers (12 younger, 12 older).
Quality score: 5 / 5