Abstract
Mopeds (electric bicycles and light motorcycles) are commonly used as a personal transportation mode in China. However, the understanding of characteristics of left-turning mopeds at signal-controlled intersections has been relatively limited. To bridge this gap, firstly, this paper proposed a video conversion method of moped movement data acquisition. Then, a method of data accuracy verification was introduced by comparing the results between the field experiment and the video conversion method. Secondly, the ideal traffic space for left-turn mopeds from different entrances was defined to analyse the characteristics of the left-turning mopeds at intersections. Further, three indicators, namely, transverse distance, the proportion of left-turning mopeds with crossing behaviour, and the average number of avoidance behaviour, were proposed and used to analyse the asymmetrical characteristics behaviour, crossing behaviour, and avoidance behaviour. Finally, based on empirical data collected from five signal-controlled intersections, the proposed methods and behaviours were analysed. This paper provides both a valid method of obtaining the position data of mopeds and a reliable basis for improving the safety of left-turning moped riders at urban signal-controlled intersections.
Highlights
Mopeds are a relatively new type of vehicle that have emerged to provide favourable characteristics such as being lightweight, low cost, and high speed
The traffic conditions here can be characterised by the Volume-to-Capacity ratios (V/Cs), which are commonly used in traffic engineering, where V is the volume of left-turning vehicles, and C is the maximum actual traffic capacity of left-turning lanes at signal-controlled intersections
There is a linear relationship between the average number of avoidance behaviour and the flow rate of mopeds, and the regression coefficient was 0.9577
Summary
Mopeds (including electric bicycles, known as e-bikes, and light motorcycles) are a relatively new type of vehicle that have emerged to provide favourable characteristics such as being lightweight, low cost, and high speed. Mopeds robbing, encroaching on the driving space of motor vehicles, and occupying motor vehicle lanes are important reasons why the traffic capacity of urban road networks has been reduced and traffic accidents have increased [10,11,12]. To ensure the safety of road users, it is necessary to study the driving characteristics of mopeds at signalised intersections. Cherry used survey data to analyse the basic relationship between three parameters of traffic flow on-road sections and traffic characteristics of electric bicycles at intersections [30, 31]. Research has mainly been performed from the perspective of vehicle right-of-way and associated conflicts, whereas few studies have addressed the placement of mopeds on-road sections and intersections and the association with traffic conflicts. Based on the empirical moped riding data, the proposed method was tested, and the characteristics of left-turning mopeds were systematically and comprehensively analysed
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