Modelling cyclists’ comfort zones from obstacle avoidance manoeuvres

Journal article (2020)

Authors

O.Z.A. Lee Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Alexander Rasch Chalmers University of Technology
A.L. Schwab Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Marco Dozza Chalmers University of Technology
Research Group
Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 O.Z.A. Lee, Alexander Rasch, A.L. Schwab, Marco Dozza
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2020.105609
More Info
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Biomechanical Engineering

Research Group

Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control

Abstract

This paper introduces a framework for modelling the cyclist's comfort zone. Unlike the driver's comfort zone, little is known about the cyclist's. The framework draws on existing literature in cognitive science about driver behaviour to explain experimental results from cycling field trials, and the modelling of these results. We modelled braking and steering manoeuvres from field data of cyclists’ obstacle avoidance within their comfort zone. Results show that when cyclists avoided obstacles by braking, they kept a constant deceleration; as speed increased, they started to brake earlier, farther from the obstacle, maintaining an almost constant time to collision. When cyclists avoided obstacles by steering, they maintained a constant distance from the object, independent of speed. Overall, the higher the speed, the more the steering manoeuvres were temporally delayed compared to braking manoeuvres. We discuss these results and other similarities between cyclist and driver behaviour during obstacle avoidance. Implications for the design of acceptable active safety and infrastructure design are also addressed.