ENHANCING MOTORCYCLE AND MOPED CONSPICUITY

A project was undertaken to determine the possibility of reducing the incidence of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes by improving motorcycle/driver conspicuity. A crash data analysis, together with an analysis of other published studies, revealed the overinvolvement (relative to cars and trucks) of motorcycles in accidents in which the other vehicle is executing a maneuver across their path (generally a left turn). More than 30 conspicuity treatments were developed and demonstrated for subjective appraisal; a sample of these was selected for field evaluation. The countermeasures were evaluated by recording data on the gap acceptance behavior of unaware motorists in normal traffic. The results indicate that daytime conspicuity can most effectively be improved by use of fluorescent garments or steady or modulating lights. Nighttime conspicuity seems to be aided by use of retroreflective garments and running lights. Limited tests were also run with a moped, using a single treatment. While the results suggest a beneficial effect associated with the use of a fluorescent flag, the response characteristics of the automobile drivers were so much different for mopeds than for motorcycles that the evaluation method may not be appropriate for such slow-moving vehicles.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conference held in Washington, D.C., 18-23 May 1980. Also published in HS-029 702, International Motorcycle Safety Conference Proceedings. Volume 3, p 1029-57. Research sponsored by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  Motorcycle Safety Foundation

  780 Elkridge Landing Road
  Linthicum, MD  United States  21090
• Authors:
  • Olson, P L
  • Halstead-Nussloch, R
  • Sivak, M
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 29 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Clothing; Countermeasures; Crashes; Days; Gap acceptance; Mopeds; Motorcycles; Night; Visibility
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390510
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-029 706
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM