This paper investigates cyclists' detection of an obstacle on the surface of the road ahead, observed in peripheral vision, and how this is affected by variations in light level from road and cycle lighting. The data analysed were the height at which a rising obstacle was detected, this simulating an approaching irregularity in the road surface. The results suggest that when cycling on a lit road, cycle lighting frequently offers no benefit for peripheral detection and may make it worse. It was demonstrated that position matters: At low illuminances, a hub-mounted lamp improved detection over a handlebar-mounted lamp. This benefit was sufficient to offset the reduction in detection found when decreasing road lighting from 2.0 lux to 0.2 lux.
Visual behaviour provides an objective and measurable indication of cognitive processes and perceptions that may otherwise be difficult to assess. The development of eye-tracking technology has allowed the accurate and relatively convenient measurement of visual behaviour. Most research using this technology has been based in a laboratory setting. This is not without good reason, as eye-tracking ‘in the wild'—in real, naturalistic, and outdoor settings—poses logistical and methodological difficulties. One particular limitation that afflicts eye-tracking research, including real-world eye-tracking, is the difficulty in directly attributing attention to what is being looked at. This chapter presents three case studies that illustrate the use of eye-tracking in real-world settings with attempts to overcome this limitation. The chapter concludes by discussing the future direction of eye-tracking research, including how to integrate it with multisensory experiences, its use in conjunction with virtual reality technology, and its implications for urban planning and environmental design.
Lighting can play an important role in encouraging cycling after-dark and making it safer. This paper describes ongoing research to establish a basis for design guidance when lighting for cyclists. Comparison of cyclist counts and estimated illuminance levels suggest a small increase in illuminance after-dark can significantly reduce the negative impact darkness has on cycling rates. Experimental work investigating obstacle detection by cyclists reveals that cycle lighting may not provide any benefit for detecting obstacles on lit roads and may even make detection worse, with the vertical position of the front cycle lamp being important. Cycle lamps also serve the purpose of making cyclists more visible but drivers often fail to detect cyclists even when they are highly visible. Lighting should therefore be considered alongside other approaches to cyclist safety, one of which is introducing presumed liability as a legal consideration to increase driver's attention for cyclists.
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