The project was initiated to determine whether it might be possible to reduce the incidence of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes by improving the conspicuity of the motorcycle-driver unit. Specifically, the following tasks were carried out: (1) A review of motorcycle accident data; (2) Development of potential conspicuity treatments; (3) Field evaluation of a selected sample of these treatments; and (4) Determination of cost benefits. A crash data analysis carried out by HSRI, together with several other published studies, makes it clear that motorcycles are overinvolved (relative to cars and trucks) in accidents in which the other vehicle is executing a maneuver (generally a left turn) across their path. More than thirty conspicuity treatments were developed and demonstrated for subjective appraisal. A sample of these was selected for field evaluation. The countermeasures were evaluated by means of a gap-acceptance procedure. The study was run in normal traffic, and measures were taken on drivers who were not aware they were involved in a study. 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. The cost-benefit analysis indicated that all of the items found to produce significant conspicuity effects are also cost-beneficial.
Abstract