Investigate moped-car conflicts in China using a naturalistic driving study approach. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Glaser, Yi G.; Guo, Feng; Fang, Youjia; Deng, Bing; Hankey, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Journal of safety research. Volume 63(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Moped -- Driver response -- Naturalistic driving study -- Moped-car conflict -- Conflict configuration; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Accidents, Occupational -- Periodicals; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prevention; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 363.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2017.10.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4375

Abstract

Abstract: Problem: Mopeds are a popular transportation mode in Europe and Asia. Moped-related traffic accidents account for a large proportion of crash fatalities. To develop moped-related crash countermeasures, it is important to understand the characteristics of moped-related conflicts. Method: Naturalistic driving study data were collected in Shanghai, China from 36 car drivers. The data included 2, 878 h and 78, 296 km driven from 13, 149 trips. Moped-car conflicts were identified and examined from the passenger car driver's perspective using kinematic trigger algorithms and manual video reduction. Results: A total of 119 moped-car conflicts were identified, including 74 high g-force conflicts and 45 low g-force events. These conflicts were classified into 22 on-road configurations where both similarities and differences were found as compared to Western Countries. The majority of the conflicts occurred on secondary main roads and branch roads. Hard braking was the primary response that the car drivers made to these conflicts rather than hard steering. Discussions: The identified on-road vehicle-moped conflict configurations in Shanghai, China may be attributed to the complicated traffic environment and risky behavior of moped riders. The lower prevalence of hard steering in Shanghai as compared to the United States may be due to the lower speeds at event onsets or less available steering space, e.g., less available shoulder area on Chinese urban roads. Conclusions: The characteristics of moped-car conflicts may impact the design of active safety countermeasures on passenger cars. The pilot data from Shanghai urban areas suggest that countermeasures developed for China may require some modifications to those developed for the United States and European countries, although this recommendation may not be conclusive given the small sample size of the study. Future studies with large samples may help better understand the characteristics of moped-car conflicts. Highlights: This is the first study to examine moped-car conflicts using naturalistic driving study approach. Kinematic trigger algorithms and video reduction were performed to identify moped-car conflicts. Conflict configurations were identified. Some were consistent with findings in western countries, while some were unique to China. Hard braking is the primary response to avoid a moped-car conflict.