Survey-Based Accident Analysis for Human-Powered Three-Wheeled Vehicles
Journal Article
09-10-01-0001
ISSN: 2327-5626, e-ISSN: 2327-5634
Sector:
Citation:
Wilhelm, T., Dorsch, V., and Gauterin, F., "Survey-Based Accident Analysis for Human-Powered Three-Wheeled Vehicles," SAE Int. J. Trans. Safety 10(1):3-22, 2022, https://doi.org/10.4271/09-10-01-0001.
Language:
English
Abstract:
The causes of accidents involving nonconventional bicycle types have hardly been
investigated in the literature to date. However, these vehicles could play an
important role in reducing the CO2 emissions generated by traffic. As
a basis for improving the driving safety of these environmentally friendly
vehicles, this article presents the results of a survey on accidents and
near-accidents of multitrack bicycle vehicles. More than 120 critical or
accident situations of 86 drivers were analyzed. The situations are investigated
with respect to the circumstances, the causes, and the consequences of the
accidents using manual analysis and multiple correspondence analysis. A
distinction is made between single accidents and accidents with another party.
The aim of the survey is not to make statistically accurate statements on the
frequency and probability of accidents, but rather to analyze the accident or
near-accident circumstances. It is shown that the causes of single accidents are
usually too high cornering velocities in combination with other factors such as
road conditions. In the case of accidents with external involvement, the person
who caused the accident is usually the other party involved. The accident
opponent is in most cases a passenger car. Here the overlooking of the vehicles
is the most frequent cause of accidents. Finally, possibilities to reduce the
probability of accidents are briefly discussed for the different situations. As
the research shows, most of the situations described occur on the road. This
indicates that there are deficits in the bicycle infrastructure for the vehicles
considered here. The results also indicate that there are deficits with regard
to the perceptibility of the vehicles by other road users.