Interaction Patterns of Motorists and Cyclists at Intersections: Insight from a Vehicle–Bicycle Simulator Study

Meng Zhang (), Laura Quante, Kilian Gröne and Caroline Schießl
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Meng Zhang: German Aerospace Center, Institute of Transportation Systems, 12489 Berlin, Germany
Laura Quante: German Aerospace Center, Institute of Transportation Systems, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany
Kilian Gröne: German Aerospace Center, Institute of Transportation Systems, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany
Caroline Schießl: German Aerospace Center, Institute of Transportation Systems, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: At intersections, road users need to comprehend the intentions of others while also implicitly expressing their own intentions using dynamic information. Identifying patterns of this implicit communication between human drivers and vulnerable road users (VRUs) at intersections could enhance automated driving functions (ADFs), enabling more human-like communication with VRUs. To this end, we conducted a coupled vehicle–bicycle simulator study to investigate interactions between right-turning motorists and crossing cyclists. This involved 34 participants (17 pairs of motorists and cyclists) encountering each other in a virtual intersection. The analysis focused on identifying interaction patterns between motorists and cyclists, specifically aiming to discern which patterns were more likely to be accepted by both parties. We found that in CM (vehicles overtaking), the post-encroachment time (PET) and the average speed of vehicles were higher than in the other two interaction patterns: C (bicycles always in front) and CMC (bicycles overtake). However, subjective ratings indicated that CM was viewed as more critical and less cooperative. Furthermore, this study unveiled the influence of crossing order and overtaking position on subjective ratings through ordered logistic regressions, suggesting that earlier overtaking could improve cyclists’ acceptance of the interaction. These findings may contribute to the optimization of communication strategies for ADF, thereby ensuring safety in interactions with VRUs.

Keywords: VRU; implicit communication; intersection; multiple driving simulator cyclists (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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