Motorcycle Speed Research Articles

THE SPEED, FLOW AND HEADWAY ANALYSES OF MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC

Although much knowledge about traffic characteristics was acknowledged, very little attention has been paid regarding motorcycle. The purpose of this study addresses a comprehensive analysis of motorcycle behavior and operation through videotaping of some roads that have significant motorcycle proportion. Four locations in Hanoi, Vietnam have been found to meet criteria for data collection, including exclusive motorcycle lanes, mixed traffic and undivided roadways. Speed—flow relationships were developed for all locations, in which the adjustment factor for the present of vehicles other than motorcycle was based on motorcycle equivalent unit. Statistical analyses of the empirical data were utilized to demonstrate the characteristics of motorcycle speed, time headway regarding to traffic flow. The present paper provides a basic understanding of characteristics of motorcycle traffic. The finding obtains from this research may be used to develop new procedures for Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), which adapt developing countries as well as provide the data needed to develop a motorcycle simulation model.

Traffic Characteristics of Motorcycles on Tangent Sections of Expressways

In early 2005, the Taiwan government announced a 6-month pilot project permitting motorcycles with engine capacity over 250 cc to go on Expressways 68 and 72. Because of the long-term ban on motorcycles traveling on the expressways, motorists have limited experience in sharing the roads with motorcyclists. Therefore, it is essential to investigate traffic characteristics of motorcycles on expressways from a safety viewpoint. Traffic characteristics of motorcycles on the tangent sections of expressways were investigated during the trial period. The survey showed that motorcycles traveled faster than did other types of vehicles. The mean speed of motorcycles reached 86 km/h, 8 km/h faster than other vehicles. The 85th percentile speed was 108 km/h, 18 km/h higher than the posted speed. Motorcyclists kept shorter following distances than did other drivers, and other types of vehicles tailgated motorcycles as well. Most motorcyclists rode in the center-to-right of the inside lane and the center-to-left of the outside lanes. This study found a few cases in which motorcyclists shared the same lane, sometimes side by side with other vehicles, on the road. Although no motorcycle crash was reported during the trial period, episodes of speeding, tailgating, and lane sharing caused significant safety concerns for riders and drivers on the expressways. It was recommended that the government strictly enforce the laws against speeding, tailgating, improper overtaking, and driving in the same lane. In addition, it is essential to educate expressway users about sharing roads safely.

Minimum Fuel Consumption and CO Emission and Optimum Speed of the Motorcycle with a CVT

The simulated annealing algorithm with the Bessel method for curve fitting and the tensor product method for surface fitting is used to transform engine discrete experimental data into a form that enables these data to be incorporated in the optimization process. Optimum curves of the engine torque versus the engine rotational speed and the engine rotational speed versus the motorcycle speed for the fuel consumption and the carbon monoxide (CO) emission are obtained for a motorcycle with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The engine rotational speed at which a motorcycle begins to move for the specific engine data is obtained. From design parameters, engine rotational speeds corresponding to the maximum and minimum CVT speed ratio change, the minimum fuel consumption and CO emission, and optimum design variables can be determined.

Study of noise production during car and motorcycle speed and cross-country races

The aim of this study was to investigate the real distance required to eliminate the noise inconvenience to local residents caused by cross-country and speed races by motorcycles and racing cars. Measurements have been made around nine motorcycle cross-country circuits, and a study of noise produced during the Belgian Formula I Grand Prix has been carried out at Terlaemen-Zolder. In addition, a few measurements have been made during cross-country car races and motorcycle speed races. The measurements yield useful data concerning minimum distances, effects of wind directions, growth, ground damping, screening by houses, unevenness of the terrain and other variables.