The present study was conducted as part of an overall program of research addressing the safety and mobility needs of the bicycle and pedestrian communities. The work reported here reflects the FDOT's recognition of the potential value of high fidelity simulation and other "virtual", or synthetic, environment technologies for transportation system applications. The present study addressed the extent to which bicyclists' use of roadway facilities is affected by the conditions of the curb lane, traffic speed, and traffic volume. Subjects in the present study were asked to rate the individual contribution of each of the variables on the `perceived risk' associated with that particular variable as well as with overall perceived risk. Risk might also be interpreted to mean (a) how "comfortable" the individual would be using the facility, and/or (b) how long the individual would be willing to "tolerate" such conditions. In the present study, "risk" was used as the basis for the ratings. The study was conducted in parallel to an FHWA "bicycle index" effort addressing the same issues, but within a "real world" setting. The virtual counterpart to that study was funded by the Florida DOT to determine (a) whether current computer image generation and display system equipment could support the scenario requirements for a study of this type, (b) if vehicle speeds and traffic volume could be effectively conveyed to subjects within a virtual environment, and if so (c) what are the relationships between rider's perceived risk and each of these operational factors. Thus while the primary focus of the study was on bicycle safety and the effects of roadway design and operational variables on the perception of safe riding conditions, the study had a clear secondary focus as well; that being, to evaluate the growing capabilities within the broadly defined area of "visualisation" and the potential for their application to the design and evaluation of new transportation facility concepts. (A)
Abstract