Conference presentation
Close encounters: Factors involved in cyclists near collisions with other road users
USC Research Conference, 2014 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 14-Jul-2014–18-Jul-2014)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2014
Abstract
The study of near miss events is an important element of safety management, since they often demonstrate the symptoms of system design flaws. It has previously been estimated that the risk of death when cycling is 12 times higher than when driving a car (Pucher & Dijkstra, 2003; cited in Boufous et al., 2012). To date, however, there has been little research examining cyclist near misses and the role that the road system plays in them. The aim of this study was to investigate the sequence of behaviours and factors involved in cyclists' near collisions with other road users. Twenty cyclists rode a pre-defined urban route whilst providing concurrent think aloud verbal protocols and being filmed by a researcher travelling behind. Three researchers identified near miss collisions from the video footage. The video footage and verbal protocols were then analysed to identify: 1) the type of conflict; and 2) the sequence of behaviours and contributory factors involved using a sequential model of crashes/near crashes (Guo et al., 2010). The analysis showed that the majority of events occurred as cyclists approached intersections (pre-incident manoeuvre), as cyclists disrupted the flow of traffic (precipitating factor), and car drivers had to break to avoid a collision (evasive manoeuvre). Notably, elements outside of the cyclist and driver involved in the incident were found to play a role. These contributing factors related to the road infrastructure, vehicles, cyclists, other road users and environmental conditions. The implications for road design are discussed.
Details
- Title
- Close encounters: Factors involved in cyclists near collisions with other road users
- Authors
- Natassia Goode (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and BusinessPaul M Salmon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and BusinessMichael G Lenne (Author)Guy H Walker (Author)Eryn L Grant (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2014 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 14-Jul-2014–18-Jul-2014)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2014
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2014 The Author.
- Organisation Unit
- Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448769502621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
Metrics
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