Viewing Analyses of Drivers of Electrically Powered Bicycles and SEGWAYS in Conflicts with Bicyclists, Pedestrians and other Road Users

More information

Main author

Pfleger, E.

Co-Authors

Hohenbüchler, M.

Type of media

PDF

Publication type

Lecture

Publication year

2011

Publisher

20. EVU Conference, Graz

Citation

Pfleger, E.: Viewing Analyses of Drivers of Electrically Powered Bicycles and SEGWAYS in Conflicts with Bicyclists, Pedestrians and other Road Users. 20. EVU Conference, Gratz

In recent years a growing trend towards electric road-vehicles is reported. Last year 20,000 electrically powered bikes were sold in Austria (equivalent to a market share of 4%). Experts estimate a market potential of 40,000 e-bikes. Previous studies highlight a threat emerging particularly from elderly e-bike riders, which under-estimate speed and over-estimate their skills.
Alternative electrically propelled vehicles, such as SEGWAYs, are unique w.r.t. dimension and driving dynamics. Driving and navigational behavior were not investigated properly yet. ‘Viewpointsystem’-eyetracking is an appropriate tool for accident-prevention and analysis, in particular w.r.t. analysis of information- reception, perception of threats and reaction-initiation.
This presentation compares gaze behavior of bicyclists (with and w/o electric propulsion) with those of Segway drivers. Typical gaze strategies are highlighted.