Cyclists and red lights: a study of behaviour of commuter cyclists in Melbourne

The primary aim of this research was to investigate the behaviours of cyclists and their interactions with vehicles at signalised intersections. The findings presented are from a three week observational study of Melbourne commuter traffic. An unobtrusive video camera was used at two intersections to observe all road users during morning in-bound and afternoon out-bound peak hour traffic, 5,420 cyclists were observed. A minority of cyclists who faced a red light rode through the intersection, including 3 per cent of morning cyclists and 11 per cent of afternoon cyclists. An in-depth analysis of the afternoon cyclists identified three distinct types of behaviours: (i) the racers who approached an amber light, accelerated but entered the intersection on the red signal; (ii) the impatients who stopped and waited, then rode through the still red-signalised intersection; and (iii) the runners who rode through the red-signalised intersection without stopping. The results focus on the three types of behaviour at red lights. Males were more likely to continue through the red light than females and the majority of males who rode through red lights were runners. The findings are important as they differentiate between the types of red light running behaviour and highlight factors influencing cyclists risk exposure. The study is part of a larger research project investigating cyclist-driver interactions. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E217612.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1876346566
• Authors:
  • JOHNSON, M
  • CHARLTON, J
  • OXLEY, J
• Publication Date: 2008-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 6P
• Serial:
  • AUSTRALASIAN ROAD SAFETY RESEARCH POLICING EDUCATION CONFERENCE, 2008, ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA
  • Publisher: South Australia Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Conferences; Cyclists; Field tests; Red interval (Traffic signal cycle); Safety; Work trips
• ITRD Terms: 9001: Behaviour; 8525: Conference; 1742: Cyclist; 6226: In situ; 621: Journey to work; 539: Red light; 1665: Safety
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01143835
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 1876346566
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Nov 16 2009 12:07PM