Lane-Filtering Behavior of Motorcycle Riders at Signalized Urban Intersections

Abstract

In developing countries, motorcycle riders typically perform lane filtering at signalized urban intersections. This study aims to determine the factors that affect the lateral clearance of motorcycle riders as they travel between two lanes of mixed traffic at signalized urban intersections in developing countries. In this study, an onboard measurement device was developed to measure the lane-filtering behavior of motorcycle riders. It was installed on a test motorcycle to continuously record the lateral clearance, riding behavior, and surrounding traffic conditions. Thirty participants rode the test motorcycle through a signalized urban intersection. Multilevel linear regression was applied to analyze the relationship between lateral clearance and relevant variables at a significance level of 0.05. The instant speed and side of the filtering motorcycle, condition of the lateral vehicle, type of lateral vehicle, and riding frequency of the motorcycle rider significantly influenced the lateral clearance. The findings of this study can contribute to filtering lane management, connected autonomous vehicles, and microscopic traffic simulations for motorcycles traveling in mixed traffic at signalized urban intersections.

Factors Influencing Stopping Locations of Motorcycle Riders on Signalized Urban Intersection Approaches

“…The higher the number of stopping motorcycles in the exclusive stopping space during the red light, the greater the reduction in the start-up time of the traffic flow [54]. A filtering lane allows motorcycle riders to filter between a queue of stopping vehicles and access the exclusive stopping space for motorcycles more easily [2]. In addition, the findings indicated that motorcycle riders prefer to stop at locations covered by the shadows of trees or buildings.…”

“…Some of them studied the behavior of motorcycle riders approaching or passing through signalized intersections. A few studies investigated the maneuvering behavior in queues [1,2] and the crossing behavior [29,30] of motorcycle riders at signalized urban intersections. These studies explored various behaviors of motorcycle riders riding along urban road networks.…”

“…Sixthly, motorcycle riders maintain longer lateral clearance when they perform lane filtering beside large vehicles [2,25]. Motorcycle riders would not stop near a larger vehicle because they seek to avoid conflict with a larger vehicle, especially in front of and at the lateral side of a large vehicle, truck, or bus, where the drivers sometimes cannot see them (i.e., blind spot).…”

“…This finding is consistent with that in previous studies on vulnerable road users' riding behavior. A large vehicle led to a higher lateral clearance of lane-filtering motorcycle riders [2]. Motorcycle riders intend to move out of their current lane if they are following a large vehicle when they maneuver in a queue at a signalized intersection [1].…”

“…On signalized intersection approaches, most motorcycle riders intend to maneuver ahead of other traffic. The main reasons for the maneuvering of motorcycle riders in a queue are as follows: (1) an attempt to stop at a favorable location (motorcycle riders intend to move forward and position themselves ahead of other traffic so that they can freely depart when the traffic light turns green); (2) an attempt to avoid traveling behind a large vehicle; and (3) preparation for making a turn at an intersection. To stop at the location closest to the stop line [1], motorcycle riders generally filter between two lanes of other traffic on a mixed-traffic signalized intersection approach, which is known as lane filtering [2].…”