Organisation: University of London (Royal Holloway)
Date uploaded: 2nd October 2013
Date published/launched: September 2012
Despite a disproportionate number of fatal injuries occurring on the road after dark, and a higher than average number of accidents involving automobile drivers violating the right of way of a motorcyclist occurring in low light conditions, there has been very little consideration of the accuracy of TTP for smaller and larger vehicles under low levels of luminance.
This study investigated drivers’ judgments of motorcycle and car approach speeds across a number of levels of luminance within a virtual city scene, as well as the effectiveness of a tri-headlight formation on motorcycle speed judgments.
The accuracy of car approach speed judgments were not affected by changes in lighting conditions, but speed judgments for the solo headlight motorcycle became significantly less accurate as lighting reduced in the early night and night-time conditions.
Incorporation of a tri-headlight formation onto the standard motorcycle frame resulted in improved accuracy of approach speed judgments, relative to the solo headlight motorcycle, as ambient light levels reduced. The practical implications of the findings are discussed in terms of road safety and motorcycle design.
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Ridiculous to ever expect a motorcycle to be fitted with a three headlamp configuration.
Has consideration been given to carrying out this research on motorcycles with twin headlights illuminated all the time (not just a second main beam headlight)? Single headlights are commonplace, however twin headlights [appear] to to be gaining favour more recently.
Whilst somewhat emotive I would agree with Adrian Hollidge’s comment that fitting a three headlight configuration is unlikely to gain favour with motorcyclists new or old whatever the added safety suggestions; especially as the reason for most motorcycle incidents is poor observation by car drivers.