Abstract
Objectives:The current study investigated the behavior and visual attention of two groups of drivers with differing pedal cycling experience (pedal cyclists and nonpedal cyclists) towards vulnerable road users at junctions in a driving simulator.Background:Pedal cyclists and motorcyclists are involved in a disproportionate number of crashes given the distance they travel, with a high proportion of these crashes occurring at junctions. Many studies have found that car drivers who also hold a motorcycle license have increased awareness towards motorcycles.Methods:The task involved approaching a T-junction and turning right when it was deemed to be safe. In Study 1, the junction was controlled by a give way sign, and in Study 2, the junction was controlled by a stop sign. Each T-junction contained a target vehicle (car, motorcycle, or pedal cycle), approaching from a near, medium, or far distance from the junction.Results:Participants did not look at pedal cycles approaching from a far distance for as long as they looked at approaching motorcycles and cars, despite all vehicles travelling at identical speeds. No differences were found between pedal cyclists and nonpedal cyclists on any visual attention measures, indicating that pedal cycling experience was not associated with differences in drivers’ attention toward pedal cycles.Conclusions:Findings have implications for road safety, demonstrating subtle differences in drivers’ everyday visual attention toward differing vehicle types.Applications:This research has the potential to inform the development of in-car technical assistive systems, improving the safety of vulnerable road users at junctions.
Highlights
Motorcyclists and pedal cyclists are vulnerable road users, involved in a large number of road crashes
Participants did not look at pedal cycles approaching from a far distance for as long as they looked at approaching motorcycles and cars, despite all vehicles travelling at identical speeds
No differences were found between pedal cyclists and nonpedal cyclists on any visual attention measures, indicating that pedal cycling experience was not associated with differences in drivers’ attention toward pedal cycles
Summary
Motorcyclists and pedal cyclists are vulnerable road users, involved in a large number of road crashes. There has been a great increase in seriously injured motorcyclists and pedal cyclists in the United Kingdom over the last 7 years, with an estimated rise of 5% for motorcycles and 7% for pedal cycles at the end of 2016 compared with the 2010–2014 average (Department of Transport, 2016) This rise can be explained, in part, by the increasing motorcycle and pedal cycle traffic on the road; these road users are involved in a disproportionate number of crashes given the distance they travel. It is typical in these crashes that drivers report being careful and attentive with their visual checks, but they fail to see an oncoming road user The majority of these crashes occur at “uncontrolled” (i.e., no stop light or sign with only give way markings and/or sign) T-junctions in urban environments (Hole, Tyrrell, & Langham, 1996). Many studies have found that car drivers who hold a motorcycle license have increased awareness towards motorcycles
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