SPEED JUDGEMENT OF ONCOMING MOTORCYCLES

In the first of two experiments, no significant differences were found among trucks, automobiles, and motorcycles in the subjective evaluation of their approaching speeds. Generally, higher approaching speeds were underestimated and lower ones overestimated, with the critical speed around 40 kph (25 mph). The tendency for subjects to overestimate low speeds was greater at night than during the daytime. The second experiment investigated differences among the vehicle types in terms of gap acceptance. Critical gap size was smaller for motorcycles than for cars and trucks. This cannot be explained by the perception of approaching speed, but rather by such nonperceptual factors as expectancy and/or decision criterion. Critical gap time decreased with increased approaching speed and was larger at night than in the daytime. Future research is recommended on visual recognition of motorcyclists, their conspicuity, communication between motorcyclists and automobile drivers, motorcyclists' safety attitudes, and the emotional aspects of motorcycle riding.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conference held in Washington, D.C., 18-23 May 1980. Also published in HS-029 680, International Motorcycle Safety Conference Proceedings. Volume 2, p 955-71.
• Corporate Authors:

  Motorcycle Safety Foundation

  780 Elkridge Landing Road
  Linthicum, MD  United States  21090
• Authors:
  • Nagayama, Y
  • MORITA, T
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 17 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Approach; Days; Drivers; Gap acceptance; Motorcycles; Motorcyclists; Night; Perception; Speed; Visibility
• Uncontrolled Terms: Subjective analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Approach speed; Driver perception
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390505
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-029 701
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM