Lane sharing interactions between bicycles and overtaking vehicles continues to be a safety issue with limited supporting data. This research looked at methods for the easy collection of bicycle/overtaking vehicle data in rural areas. The available literature contained no references to an on-bicycle system for data collection that did not also require the addition of substantial weight or equipment to the bicycle. Other available methods (typically for urban areas) required the setup of stationary equipment with the hopes of an interaction occurring in that location. The results of this research provide a methodology that practitioners and researchers can use as a base system to begin on-bicycle data collection for a relatively low cost while not encumbering a bicycle with bulky (or obvious) equipment. Following this methodology, other researchers should be able to conduct similar data collection, and make additional improvements or adjustments based on their specific data collection needs. This methodology allowsfor the easy collection of bicycle/overtaking vehicle interaction data, in video format (with views of both approaching and departing vehicles) andvia an ultrasonic distance sensor (providing the lateral clearance of overtaking vehicles). GPS technology is also incorporated to track bicycle location and speed. Initial results have shown numerous lane and other safety violations routinely made by drivers that threaten both vehicles and cyclists alike. By finally gathering this type of exposure data, practitioners and researchers will now be able to examine countermeasures to reduceand/or prevent such risky maneuvers.
Abstract