Title: Motorcycle lighting: design for safety

Authors: E.J. Fulton, G.L. Donne, F.G. Stroud

Addresses: Institute for Consumer Ergonomics, Loughborough University of Technology, UK. ' Institute for Consumer Ergonomics, Loughborough University of Technology, UK. ' Transport and Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, UK

Abstract: Studies have shown that a large proportion of motorcycle accidents, both in daylight and at night, involve another driver|s failure to see an approaching motorcycle. At night there are also accidents associated with misinterpretation of the visual cues given by motorcycles. These problems might be alleviated by the use of appropriate lighting displayed at the front of the motorcycle. Experiments were carried out, both in daylight and darkness, to discover what types of lighting arrangements best assist other drivers to see and make correct judgements about motorcycles in urban traffic conditions. Results showed that, in daylight, use of a large headlight or pairs of daytime running lamps can effectively improve the conspicuity of motor-cycles. At night a large headlamp is also beneficial. The use of daytime running lamps in addition to the headlamp does not have advantages at night. Improvements in the identification of motorcycles in other traffic at night were achieved by using illuminated fairings or vertical strip lights in addition to the headlamp. Specifications for better lighting for day and night-time use are not necessarily incompatible.

Keywords: vehicle design; motorcycle lighting; road safety; conspicuity; accident prevention; design for safety; motorcycles; motorbikes; motorcycle accidents.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1988.061520

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1988 Vol.9 No.4/5, pp.489 - 498

Published online: 26 May 2014 *

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