Discomfort in pedestrian-electric scooter interactions during frontal approaches

As urban landscapes rapidly integrate e-scooters into their transportation ecosystems, understanding pedestrian-e-scooter interactions becomes paramount for safety and planning. This study investigates pedestrian discomfort levels and avoidance strategies when encountering an e-scooter approaching from the front.25 participants were exposed to e-scooters approaching at three different speeds and lateral distances. Avoidance paths were plotted, and subjective discomfort levels were recorded and analysed.Our findings underscored two key behaviours: 1) As the speed of the e-scooter increased, participants initiated avoidance manoeuvres from a further distance ahead, suggesting a heightened perception of risk. 2) Regardless of the e-scooter's speed, the lateral distance maintained during passing remained fairly constant. However, when the e-scooter's initial lateral position was closer to participants, both the initiation distance for avoidance and the reported discomfort level increased noticeably.The findings underscore the critical influence of lateral distance and e-scooter speed on pedestrian comfort and avoidance behaviour. These insights can guide urban planners and policymakers in designing safer and more efficient shared spaces.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iatssr.2024.08.004
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0386111224000426
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03861112
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2024 International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier Ltd. CC BY 4.0 Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Suzuki, Kazufumi
  • Suzuki, Tatsuto
  • Tyler, Nick
  • Suzuki, Koji
• Publication Date: 2024-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: pp 447-455
• Serial:
  • IATSS Research
  • Volume: 48
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0386-1112
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03861112
• Publication flags:

  Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Electric vehicles; Pedestrian vehicle interface; Scooters; Sidewalks
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01932947
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 7 2024 4:55PM