Teenage bicyclists' perceptions toward automated vehicles and their associated traffic infrastructure: A focus group discussion

Automated vehicles (AVs) can improve traffic safety for vulnerable road-users like bicyclists. It is most likely that current young people will be the ones to use these vehicles and interact with them. However, very few studies have focused on bicyclist-AV interaction, with little to no inclusion of teenage bicyclists. This research used a virtual focus group study with 25 teenage bicyclists in six groups. Participants were presented with potential designs of infrastructures and communicating interfaces, they discussed pros and cons for each design, and answered multiple surveys. Overall, teenage bicyclists showed positive perceptions toward AVs. They preferred spacious lanes for bicyclists and physical barriers separating AVs and bicyclists. Teenagers chose visual interfaces with familiar icons; nevertheless, they recommended both visual and audible interfaces to ensure bicyclists’ attention and address the need of visually and audibly impaired populations. Future researchers and stakeholders will be benefited from the methodology and outcomes of this research.     

The influence of a pedestrian countdown display on pedestrian behavior at signalized pedestrian crossings

Pedestrian behavior has been a subject of surveys carried out at two signalized pedestrian crossings, in the city of Doboj (BIH, Republic of Srpska). The analysis is made on the basis of video recordings, and includes behavior at pedestrian crossings, in various conditions (two locations, different vehicle flows, with or without a countdown display). The analysis also includes the distribution of illegal crossings (at the pedestrian red light) of different categories of pedestrians (gender, age), before and after the installation of a pedestrian countdown display, at two different pedestrian crossings. The results of the study have shown that a countdown display reduces statistically significantly the total number of violators, regardless of its location and traffic flow. However, this reduction is not the same at various categories of pedestrians (male, female, elderly, young people). The influence of the display has been particularly dominant at the pedestrian crossing located outside the centre of the city, with the smaller intensity of traffic. Children pedestrians do not accept the behavior in accordance with the countdown display in case of a reduced intensity of traffic, at a pedestrian crossing located in the backstreet. A countdown display does not statistically significantly change the distribution form of the number of offences during the red light for pedestrians, regardless of the pedestrian environment. However, there is a statistically significant difference in certain intervals (during the first and last 4 s) in the total distribution, as well as in the categories (female pedestrians, children). A countdown display does not reduce the overall number of “slow” pedestrians, but the impact on certain categories of “slow” pedestrians (gender/children), as well as on pedestrian violators, per age categories, varies depending on the location and traffic flow at an intersection.     

Young driver distraction by text messaging: A comparison of the effects of reading and typing text messages in Chinese versus English

BackgroundReading and typing text messages while driving seriously impairs driving performance and are prohibited activities in many jurisdictions. Hong Kong is a bilingual society and many people write in both Chinese and English. As the input methods for text messaging in Chinese and English are considerably different, this study used a driving simulator approach to compare the effects of reading and typing Chinese and English text messages on driving performance.MethodThe driving performances of 26 participants were monitored under the following conditions: (1) no distraction, (2) reading and typing Chinese text messages, and (3) reading and typing English text messages. The following measures of driving performance were collected under all of the conditions: reaction time (RT), driving lane undulation (DLU), driving speed fluctuation (DSF), and car-following distance (CFD) between test and leading cars.ResultsRT, DLU, and DSF were significantly impaired by reading and typing both Chinese and English text messages. Moreover, typing text messages distracted drivers more than reading them. Although the Chinese text messaging input system is more complicated than the English system, the use of Chinese did not cause a significantly different degree of distraction.ConclusionBoth reading and typing text messages while driving should be prohibited regardless of whether Chinese or English is used.     

Gender differences in attitudes towards driving and demand for private Insurance: Evidence from middle class drivers

This article examines the existence of associations between the gender of the driver, their risk behavior when driving motor vehicles and their inclination to acquire automobile insurance. To conduct this investigation a random survey was carried out with 566 middle class adults in 66 Brazilian towns and cities. By using non-parametric tests and logit models, the results suggest that even when controlling for other variables, women feel a greater need to have automobile insurance to protect themselves in the event of possible accidents under rainy conditions and also to have access to driver support services. Women also tend to have more respect for speed limits in various situations, such as during the rush hour, on local roads and on highways. The results also showed that men feel safer than women driving in more precarious situations: at night, in unfamiliar areas, after drinking, or even when they are tired. These results, in addition to contributing to the theoretical development of road traffic and transportation safety, are of special relevance to the financial industry and the regulatory agency. The insurance industry may find these results particularly helpful in designing future policies and setting premiums.     

Cyclists as a minority group?

In the social sciences, several definitions of minority group can be found. The definitions include different aspects such as power/status, number, distinctiveness, social category, group context, dispositions, and discrimination. Compared to motorized road users, cyclists are considered vulnerable road users because they lack physical protection. We argue that such definition does not capture the social and cultural aspects that characterize the membership within the group of cyclists. We offer arguments and reflections based on recent literature advocating that cyclists may share some features of the experience of minority groups. Although cyclists differ from other minorities in important respects, they manifest many of the characteristics by which minority groups are defined.     

The analysis of drivers’ hazard detecting ability using Empathizing–Systemizing model

Since there are drivers who repeatedly have accidents, this research postulated that the lack of hazard perception which is a primary cause of accidents might be determined by individual differences in cognitive traits. The Empathizing–Systemizing (E–S) model was used for the cognitive traits, with Empathizing expected to correspond to ability at hazard perception and fewer accidents and/or incidents (near-accidents). On the other hand, Systemizing was not expected to contribute to them. A web questionnaire was conducted to collect data of accidents and incidents experienced during ordinary driving, and this was analyzed. The results showed that drivers with higher Empathy Quotient (EQ) experienced fewer accidents and incidents. The Systemizing Quotient (SQ) had no significant effect on these experiences. However, the experience of incidents by drivers with high Systemizing Quotient increased when their Empathy Quotient was low. Based on these results, it was suggested that drivers who have a stronger Empathizing function may have a stronger ability at hazard perception. On the other hand, the Systemizing function may weaken hazard perception ability when Empathizing is weak, although it does not have an independent effect.     

Study of unique merging behavior under mixed traffic conditions

Roads in developing countries carry mixed traffic with wide variations in static and dynamic characteristics of vehicles. The traffic flow is also generally devoid of lane discipline, with vehicles occupying any available road space ahead. In such a regime of traffic flow, the phenomena of merging of vehicles at intersections of two roads is complex, warranting further study. The merging maneuvers at T-intersections under congested traffic conditions were studied microscopically through video-recording. In congested situations, the merging vehicle attempts a complex merging maneuver to enter the main traffic stream. Two unique merging processes are commonly observed in mixed traffic: group and vehicle cover merging (these are generally not observed in countries such as US). The author is using these words first time in this study. These reflect the different types of driver behavior – merging in groups, and by taking cover of another vehicle. Probabilistic models for group and vehicle cover merging are developed that capture this unique merging behavior. Comprehensive microscopic data collection and extraction were carried out to study the merging process at T-intersection under congested conditions. Merging models were then estimated using maximum likelihood method with disaggregate data that was collected for a case study T-intersection in Chennai city, India. Such models can find applications in simulation of highly congested traffic flow in a realistic manner under mixed traffic conditions. They can also give insights on devising better traffic control measures at such intersections.     

Model of guidance for visually impaired persons in the traffic network

The movement of the blind and visually impaired persons in the traffic network is today based exclusively on the application of aids (white cane) and methods that the users learn during the training of orientation and movement. In present paper authors investigate accessibility of information and communication technologies and services with the purpose of increasing the mobility level of the blind and visually impaired persons when moving in the traffic network of the City of Zagreb. The traffic intersections were analysed from the viewpoint of difficult-to-master for independent movement by using the basic methods of crossing a traffic intersection which the users acquire at the training of orientation and movement. The method of survey and interviews with a target group of users was used to evaluate all the relevant parameters of guidance and navigation resulting from the mentioned analyses and by performing training of orientation and movement in the duration of six months. Based on the carried out research and the used scientific methods the dynamic model has been defined and it is based on relevant parameters of guidance and navigation, and on the application of the information and communication technologies and services. The information provided to the user, by the system, is defined according to the currently available technologies. The model was efficiency tested on a real system of the traffic network of the City of Zagreb.