Bicycle Accidents Research Articles

Leveraging AI in Traffic Engineering to Enhance Bicycle Mobility in Urban Areas

More With the rise of AI-driven technologies, urban cycling is becoming more accessible and appealing to many due to benefits such as health improvement and cost efficiency. Governments worldwide are promoting cycling as a sustainable transportation option to address environmental challenges. Ensuring seamless bicycle mobility in cities is essential to incentivize cycling. AI-powered Traffic Engineering can significantly enhance the flow of bicycle traffic in urban areas by optimizing infrastructure and safety. This article explores the benefits of cycling and the rationale for investing in AI-integrated cycling infrastructure. It provides examples of smart solutions such as AI-based vehicle-cycle segregation (including London's Cycle Superhighways), protected intersections enhanced by machine learning algorithms, and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) that incorporate AI for dynamic traffic management. Their implementation and impact on cyclists and overall traffic flow are analyzed, demonstrating that these advanced systems reduce accidents, boost road efficiency, and make cycling more enjoyable. Quantitative data on these improvements is also presented. In conclusion, AI-enabled Traffic Engineering solutions play a vital role in enhancing bicycle mobility and safety in urban environments.

Design of a LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase layer through a fluorinated carbon (CFX) complex separator for stable lithium metal batteries

The formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is very important for improving the cycling stability and safety of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, since the reactivity of lithium metal anodes (LMAs) is very high, controlling the movement of Li+ at the anode/electrolyte interface remains challenging. In this study, an approach involving coating a fluorine functional-controlled fluorinated carbon (CFX) layer onto a commercial PE separator to form a stable SEI layer was proposed. The strong reaction between the fluorine functional groups constituting CFX and Li+ facilitated the rapid formation of a LiF-rich SEI layer in the resting and initial cycling stages. This initial stable SEI layer promoted a subsequent homogeneous Li+ flux, thus improving the LMA stability. In addition, the mechanism by which the total amount of fluorine and the fluorine functional groups control the Li+ dynamics through the CFX-coated PE separator with controlled fluorine functional groups was used to identify the mechanism by which the total amount of fluorine and the fluorine functional groups provide the advantage of the creation of a stable SEI layer. Therefore, this study contributes to the energy storage field by solving the cycling stability problem related to LMAs and emphasizes that a stable SEI layer can be formed based on the important interface control according to the type of fluorine functional group.

Study on the Minimum Operation Width of Human-Powered Bicycles for Safe and Comfortable Cycling

Chinese cities are increasingly developing exclusive bicycle paths to improve the safety and efficiency of bicycle transit. The width of bikeways is a critical factor influencing cyclists’ safety and comfort, with insufficient width identified as a major contributor to bicycle accidents. Therefore, determining the minimum operational width for human-powered bicycles is essential for bikeway design. While some countries’ design manuals consider speed as a factor in determining width, there is a lack of field experiments to validate these specifications from the perspective of cyclists’ safety and comfort. This study addresses this gap by conducting a field experiment to measure cycling workload, which reflects safety and comfort under different widths and cycling speeds. The experiment involved 12 cyclists on a test road, where cycling workload was measured at various preset widths and cycling speeds for a single human-powered cyclist. The results were further validated using conventional lateral distance measurement techniques, which are used in the existing literature to determine the cycling width. The results show that wider bikeway widths lead to a lower cycling workload, enhancing comfort and safety. However, both very high (over 20 km/h) and very low (under 5 km/h) speeds significantly increase cyclists’ workload, which in turn requires a wider path to maintain a safe and comfortable cycling experience. The study found that a minimum width of 0.90 m may be adequate for cyclists traveling at speeds between 10 and 15 km/h, while a width of 1.0 m is sufficient for speeds ranging from 5 km/h to 25 km/h, provided the bicycle width does not exceed 0.62 m. Given that cyclists typically progress from slower to faster speeds, a minimum operational width of 1.0 m is recommended for most cases. This study highlights the importance of considering cyclists’ workload in determining appropriate bikeway widths. It provides valuable insights for designing safer, more comfortable bike paths and reducing bicycle accidents, contributing to the sustainable development of urban cycling infrastructure.

Examining the Lateral Positioning and Clearance of Cyclists and Motor Vehicles in Christchurch, New Zealand

The New Zealand government has introduced cycleways on existing narrow roads, leading to disruptions and inconsistencies for both motorists and cyclists. The effect on their behaviour about positioning, however, remains uncertain. This research paper investigated lateral positioning and lateral clearance using multiple Internet of Things (IoT) prototypes to quantify the relationship between motor vehicles and cyclists. Two methods were used, (1) sensors mounted on the pavement curb to collect positioning data, and (2) sensors mounted on a cyclist to collect lateral clearance data. Results show that heavy vehicles have the highest encroachment rate. Additionally, the cycleway helps steer motorists slightly farther away from cyclists while passing. The lateral clearance between cyclists and motorists on roads with cycle lanes is higher than on roads without cycle lanes. It was found that over 90% of motor vehicles meet the 1-meter separation standard, as recommended by the NZ Cycling Safety Panel.

Protocol of a cluster-randomised trial to improve adolescent bicycling safety education programme efficacy

IntroductionSecond to motor vehicles, bicycles contribute to more childhood injuries than any other consumer product. Youth bicycling safety education programmes are one avenue of prevention, but despite a plethora of...

Commuter Cyclist Crash Incidence Rate on Cycling Infrastructure in Lyon and Marseille (France)

The aim of this study is to document the crash incidence rate for cyclists when cycling on five different types of cycling infrastructure in two cities in France. A questionnaire was carried out in 2021 with commuter cyclists in Lyon-Villeurbanne (n=780) and Marseille-Aix-en-Provence (n=404). Respondents provided data on their regular cycling trip and on crashes they have experienced. Using a Geographical Information System, the exposure of cyclists on each type of infrastructure was determined. By relating the number of crashes to the number of kilometres travelled, crash rates (per kilometre travelled) and the 95 percent confidence interval were estimated. This study shows that in the two cities studied, the crash incidence rate is significantly higher on contraflow cycle lanes than on the road. On the contrary, shared-use paths (greenways) are associated with a lower crash incidence rate compared to the road. Results for the other types of cycling infrastructure are unclear. Recommendations are discussed. Further studies are required to improve the design of cycling infrastructure and the broader transport policy to support safe cycling.

Required Field of View of a Sensor for an Advanced Driving Assistance System to Prevent Heavy-Goods-Vehicle to Bicycle Accidents

Accidents involving cyclists and trucks are among the most severe road accidents. In 2021, 199 cyclists were killed in accidents involving a truck in the EU. The main accident situation is a truck turning right and a cyclist going straight ahead. A large proportion of these accidents are caused by the inadequate visibility in an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle). The blind spot, in particular, is a significant contributor to these accidents. A BSD (Blind Spot Detection) system is expected to significantly reduce these accidents. There are only a few studies that estimate the potential of assistance systems, and these studies include a combined assessment of cyclists and pedestrians. In the present study, accident simulations are used to assess a warning and an autonomously intervening assistance system that could prevent truck to cyclist accidents. The main challenges are local sight obstructions such as fences, hedges, etc., rule violations by cyclists, and the complexity of correctly predicting the cyclist’s intentions, i.e., detecting the trajectory. Taking these accident circumstances into consideration, a BSD system could prevent between 26.3% and 65.8% of accidents involving HGVs and cyclists.

Assessing the safety of international examples of bicycle streets to identify important design elements—an expert judgement

The two most common types of cycling infrastructure are separated bicycle tracks and bicycle lanes. Several studies have been carried out to examine their impact on cycling safety. A relatively new type of cycling infrastructure, which is increasingly being implemented, is the bicycle street, defined as a street where bicycle traffic is prioritised and where motorised vehicles are limited in terms of volume and speed. Since bicycle streets are developed recently, the literature about their safety is scarce. Therefore, in order to provide directions for further research to the safety of bicycle streets, the present study aims to identify which design elements of bicycle streets are important to assess their safety, based on expert judgement. The expert judgement data were collected from 49 cycling safety professionals, divided over ten groups, during a workshop about the safety of bicycle streets during the 11th International Cycling Safety Conference 2023 in the Hague. The groups of cycling safety professionals categorised nine international examples of bicycle streets over three piles: ‘Safest’, ‘In between’, and ‘Least safe’. They also provided arguments about why they put a bicycle street on a specific pile. These arguments are used to identify important design elements that impact the safety of bicycle streets and are compared to existing literature. The results showed that expert judgements are considerably similar across the example bicycle streets and their design elements. The most important design elements to assess the safety are: width of the street, design to prioritise cyclists, road markings and parking. The literature shows that for some elements, general road safety knowledge exists, but that for most design elements no studies exist that examine their relation to the safety of bicycle streets in particular.

Sustainable Commuting: Active Transport Practices and Slovenian Data Analysis

This study examines the influence of transportation policies and urbanisation on cycling participation and environmental sustainability in Slovenia. Factor and regression analyses were employed. The yearly data from 2008 to 2021 were isolated. A modest increase in urban cycling frequency was observed, bolstered by investments in environmental protection and safety enhancements; however, additional evidence is needed to confirm the long-term effects (H1). Furthermore, while increased cycling was linked to a reduction in CO2 emissions and improved air quality, the overall environmental benefits were found to be affected by other factors, such as motorisation and public transportation in summer (H2). The study revealed that the introduction of reduced urban speed limits and expanded cycling lanes significantly enhanced cycling safety and desirability, leading to a shift from car usage to bicycles (RQ). These findings indicate that cycling could play a vital role in advancing Slovenia’s sustainable development goals, emphasising the need for continued investments and supportive urbanisation policies.

An ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate electrolyte for improved cycle life and safety of silicon-graphite/NMC (Ni = 80–83 %) high-energy lithium-ion battery cells

High energy Silicon-Carbon (Si-C) electrodes have been paired with ‘high Nickel’ NMC cathodes and used to optimize a ‘linear alkyl carbonate-free’ electrolyte. The optimization was conducted via the screening of 23 electrolyte formulations using two sets of silicone carbon composite electrodes in coin cells. The best electrolyte formulation was then ‘validated’ in a setting closer to their final application, using single layer pouch cells and a commercial surfactant coated separator to solve the wetting issue met with this family of electrolytes with both conventional and ceramic coated separators. Despite its lower rate capability above 1C, this electrolyte allows a 45 % increase of the capacity retention in pouch cell with a 9 % Si-C-based anode and a NMC83 cathode. The safety of the electrolyte is also improved markedly. During cycling up to 4.3V and 5.0V, the total volume of hydrogen evolved was reduced more than 3.6 times over 3 cycles for the electrolyte free of linear carbonates. In fine, accelerating rate calorimetry shows that the use of these electrolytes improves the overall cell safety for this electrolyte, which shows that, for high energy applications, EC/PC electrolytes with the right additive combination can allow both longer cycle life and improved safety.

Boosting Winter Green Travel: Prioritizing Built Environment Enhancements for Shared Bike Users Accessing Public Transit in the First/Last Mile Using Machine Learning and Grounded Theory

Shared bikes are widely used in Chinese cities as a green and healthy solution to address the First/Last Mile issue in public transit access. However, usage declines in cold regions during winter due to harsh weather conditions. While climate factors cannot be changed, enhancing the built environment can promote green travel even in winter. This study uses data from Shenyang, China, to investigate how built environment attributes impact the travel satisfaction of shared bike users who utilize bikes as a First/Last Mile solution to access public transit in winter cities. By employing machine learning algorithms combined with Asymmetric Impact-Performance Analysis (AIPA) and grounded theory, we systematically identify the key attributes and rank them based on their asymmetric impact and urgency of improvement. The analysis revealed 19 key attributes, 17 of which are related to the built environment, underscoring its profound influence on travel satisfaction. Notably, factors such as the profile design of cycling paths and safety facilities along routes were identified as high priorities for improvement due to their significant potential to enhance satisfaction. Meanwhile, features like barrier-free access along paths and street greenery offer substantial opportunities for improvement with more modest efforts. Our research provides critical insights into the nuanced relationship between built environment features and travel satisfaction for First/Last Mile shared bike users. By highlighting priority improvements, we offer urban planners and policymakers a framework for creating livable, sustainable environments that support green travel even in harsh winter conditions.

Open sternal fracture with bilateral dislocation of the sternoclavicular joints after a high-speed bicycle accident: a case report

BackgroundOnly a few cases of bilateral traumatic sternoclavicular dislocations have been reported in the literature. This injury is considered one of the rarest injuries of the human musculoskeletal system. Therefore, we present the first documented case of a cyclist with a third-degree open thoracic trauma (Gustilo–Anderson 3a) associated with a dislocated manubrium sterni fracture in the upper thoracic aperture, bilateral anterior dislocations of the sternoclavicular joints, rib fractures, and pleural ruptures.Case presentationThe patient, a 27-year-old Caucasian male, incurred this injury while participating in a professional cycling race at Nürburgring, Germany and received immediate interdisciplinary surgical treatment and has encountered no complications. We conducted a 1-year follow-up and present the clinical findings of this follow up. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive review of the existing literature on this injury.ConclusionsImmediate interdisciplinary intervention, including surgical repair and meticulous postoperative care, facilitated successful patient recovery. This underscores the critical role of comprehensive trauma management in complex polytrauma cases. In conclusion, this case report highlights the rarity and complexity of a traumatic injury involving bilateral sternoclavicular dislocation, with this case being the first case reported with concomitant open thorax trauma. Our patient benefited greatly from immediate air-bound transportation to an interdisciplinary care provider, which houses both thoracic and trauma surgery departments.

Optimization Strategies of Hybrid Lithium Titanate Oxide/Carbon Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries, due to their high energy density, compact size, long lifetime, and low environmental impact, have achieved a dominant position in everyday life. These attributes have made them the preferred choice for powering portable devices such as laptops and smartphones, power tools, and electric vehicles. As technology advances rapidly, the demand for even more efficient energy storage devices continues to rise. In lithium-ion batteries, anodes play a crucial role, with lithium titanate oxide standing out as a highly promising material. This anode is favored for its exceptional cycle stability, safety features, and fast charging capabilities. The impressive cycle stability of lithium titanate oxide is largely due to its zero-strain nature, meaning it undergoes minimal volume changes during lithium-ion insertion and extraction. This stability enhances the anode's durability, leading to longer battery life. In addition, the lithium titanate oxide anode operates at a voltage of approximately 1.55 V vs. Li+/Li, significantly reducing the risk of dendrite formation, a major safety concern that can cause short circuits and fires. The material's spinel structure, with its large active surface area, further allows fast electron transfer and ion diffusion, facilitating fast charging. This review explores the characteristics of lithium titanate oxide, the various synthesis methods employed, and its integration with carbon materials to enhance cycle stability, coulombic efficiency, and safety. It also proposes strategies for optimizing lithium titanate oxide properties to create sustainable anodes with reduced environmental impact using eco-friendly routes.

Case Article—Humanitarian Supply Chains and Inventory Management: Planning Medical Supply at the International Committee of the Red Cross

This case is based on an actual project with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The rich context allows instructors to cover important topics in inventory management, supply chain management, and humanitarian logistics at a level appropriate for different student backgrounds. At a foundational level, the case presents opportunities to practice concepts like cycle stock, safety stock, and service level. Technical audiences can appreciate applications of machine learning and optimization for inventory management. Practice-oriented audiences learn about the challenges of applying commercial operations metrics and heuristics like ABC analysis to humanitarian logistics. Realistic data and models are provided. Funding: B. Thakur-Weigold acknowledges funding from the Engineering for Humanitarian Action initiative launched by the ICRC, ETH Zurich, and EPFL. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Supplemental Material: Supplemental materials are available at https://www.informs.org/Publications/Subcribe/Access-Restricted-Materials .

Optimizing interface chemistry with novel covalent molecule for highly sustainable and kinetics-enhanced sodium metal batteries

Metallic sodium has attracted increasing attention as an ideal anode material for next-generation high energy density and low-cost secondary batteries. However, it is highly desired yet remains challenging to improve their cycling stability and safety due to unstable solid electrolyte interphase and dendrite growth. Herein, a hybrid interface layer composed of Na2Se and Na3P is constructed on the surface of Na (Na@NPS) via in situ spontaneous reaction. The hybrid interface layer with merits of high sodiophilicity and high Na-ion conductivity can effectively induce homogeneous Na-ion flux distribution, accelerate the reaction kinetics and suppress decomposition of electrolyte components. Benefitting from the above advantages, the Na@NPS symmetric cell delivers a long cycle life (1000 h at 1 mA cm–2 and 1 mAh cm–2). Furthermore, the full cell coupling with Na3V2(PO4)3-based cathode provides an exceptionally long lifespan (1500 cycles) at 20 C with a capacity retention of 98.2 % and high energy density (226 Wh kg–1). Therefore, the enhanced electrochemical performance illustrates the feasibility of the covalent molecule derived hybrid multifunctional interfaces in solving the irregular deposition of Na-ion and expediting reaction kinetics in Na metal batteries.

Nanotechnology in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Addressing the Challenges in Battery Cycle Life and Safety

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, with their high energy density and affordable material prices, are a viable alternative to ordinary lithium-ion batteries, especially for electric cars. Their actual application is limited by challenges such as substantial volume expansion, low electrical conductivity, and the polysulfide shuttle effect, despite their advantages. This research investigates how incorporating nanomaterials into Li-S battery cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes might improve battery performance and analyzes the potential of nanotechnology to address these problems. The application of metal oxides, graphene oxide, and carbon nanofibers to improve the stability and conductivity of sulfur cathodes is covered. Additionally, it examines anode protection strategies using nanocoating and protective layers to inhibit dendrite growth and improve safety. The incorporation of nanoparticles in electrolytes to improve ionic conductivity and reduce side reactions is also analyzed. Despite the progress, challenges such as the polysulfide shuttle effect and volume changes remain. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research to develop commercially viable Li-S batteries with higher capacity, longer lifespan, and improved safety.

Review and prospect on Metal-organic framework-based Separators for Lithium–Sulfur Battery

With the continuous advancement of technology, wearable smart devices and electric vehicles (EVs) have become an integral part of our daily lives. The increasing demand for energy from these devices and vehicles has driven the pursuit of high-performance rechargeable battery technology. In particular, the widespread adoption of electric vehicles has set higher standards for the energy density and cycle life of batteries. However, the energy density of the widely used lithium-ion batteries is currently limited by the theoretical capacity of commercial cathode materials, and there are certain challenges in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the development of a new generation of rechargeable batteries with higher energy density, better safety, and more economical cost is particularly urgent. Lithium-sulfur batteries, due to their high energy density, high economic benefits, and high environmental friendliness, are considered to be one of the most promising successors to the widely used lithium-ion batteries. However, in practical applications, the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries still needs to be improved. In particular, the poor conductivity of sulfur/lithium and the shuttle effect of polysulfides make the cycle life of the battery less than ideal, and lithium-sulfur batteries (LSB) are still far from achieving large-scale commercialization. The separator used in lithium-sulfur batteries plays a crucial role in its cycle performance and safety. The current commercial separator lacks the ability to effectively regulate the shuttle of polysulfides and is prone to thermal runaway at high temperatures. Therefore, to improve these issues, various functional materials have been used to modify the separator. Among them, as a new type of porous coordination polymer, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have become a promising material for modifying separators due to their large specific surface area and highly ordered tunable nano-holes.At the same time, their rich inorganic nodes and designable organic ligands allow for the customization of pore chemistry at the molecular level, which can interact with the electroactive components in lithium-sulfur batteries in a tunable manner. This article reviews the reaction mechanism of lithium-sulfur batteries and the structural advantages of MOFs in terms of pore chemistry and morphology and briefly introduces the research progress of MOF-based interfacial layers for the functionalization of LSB separators in recent years. It elaborates on the mechanisms by which various modified separators improve electrochemical performance and provides a prospect for the development prospects of the field.

Cross-modal feedback of tactile and auditory stimuli for cyclists in noisy environments

In recent years, with the increasing use of bicycles for environmental and health benefits, the importance of the feedback for cyclists is increasing. Moreover, as bicycles account for 23 % of all traffic accidents in 2022, improving bicycle safety is a crucial challenge. This study aimed to explore methods for enhancing safety and improving feedback to cyclists through auditory and tactile signals. Experiments were conducted using a cycling simulator and cross-modal reaction tests of tactile and auditory signals to simulate bicycle riding under actual external noise environments. The accuracy of the recognition and reaction times for both tactile and auditory signals were evaluated in situations with simulated road traffic sounds. Subsequently, the effectiveness of cross-modal feedback was assessed, optimal signal conditions were examined, and the relationship between variations in environmental noise and optimal auditory signals for cyclists was discussed. The results showed that cross-modal feedback led to faster reaction times, while the recognition accuracy of auditory signals varied depending on environmental noise levels. The present findings suggest the potential of cross-modal feedback to enhance cyclist safety, particularly when optimized for environmental conditions and individual perception.

Prosthesis Refusal and the Ethics of Care in J. M. Coetzee's Slow Man.

In The Ethics of Care: Personal, Political, and Global, Virginia Held asserts that those in the position to care should exercise power in ways that avoid violence and damage, and that trust and mutuality should be fostered in place of benevolent domination. With reference to Held's idea of relational care, this essay close reads J. M. Coetzee's depiction of prosthesis refusal in Slow Man as a nuanced critique of caring actions that are devoid of relationality. At the center of the novel is the character Paul Rayment's refusal to get fitted with a prosthetic leg after a cycling accident. He reasons that it is dishonest to give others the false impression that he is not without a leg, even if the price he must pay for "honesty" includes giving up the chance to cycle again and the quality of life he had before the accident. But Coetzee is at pains to highlight that Rayment is a confused character, and behind the confused narrative of "honesty" lies a subtext of rebellion. Specifically, this is a rebellion against care without relationality. It provokes the question, in the absence of ill intention toward the care recipient could caring actions be perfectly benign? In this article, I read the refused prosthetic leg as more than a phantasmagorical symbol of the depicted healthcare professionals' seemingly empty appearance of care; it foregrounds relationality as the critically missing substance that could render caring actions unethical in the novel.

Quality of Life in the City of Trikala (Greece): Attitudes and Opinions of Residents on Green Spaces and Cycling Paths

Over recent decades, intense urbanization, city expansion, and unregulated construction have led to a scarcity of green spaces and environmental degradation. Green spaces significantly enhance residents’ quality of life by supporting mental and physical health, improving environmental conditions, and benefiting the local microclimate. However, adding green spaces alone is insufficient for modern cities. Increasing population mobility and demand for sustainable transportation modes highlight the role of bicycles and safe bike lane networks in urban development. This study focuses on the perspectives of Trikala’s citizens regarding the contributions of green spaces to their quality of life and cycling habits, and to the effectiveness of current cycling infrastructure. Using a structured questionnaire, data were analyzed with SPSS through descriptive and multivariate analysis. The results demonstrate a strong public acknowledgment of green spaces and bicycles as essential components for sustainable urban planning. Nevertheless, challenges with bike lane safety and network continuity were evident. This study concludes that enhancing both green spaces and cycling infrastructure is crucial for fostering a more environmentally friendly and healthy urban environment. Policy recommendations include improving bike lane safety and expanding green space access, creating a foundation for sustainable, resilient urban living.