No abstract

Several thousand motorcyclists die in the EU every year. Despite the severe risk of death and injuries, there is relatively little research on motorcycle safety, and standard automobile safety features are not offered for most motorcycle models. More than a quarter of all traffic accidents represent rear-end collisions, with motorcycles at a higher risk due to poorer visibility and driver protection. In this paper we present an overview of literature on collision warning systems and their influence on traffic safety, and the current state of our research on the potential impact of introduction of a rear-end collision warning system in motorcycles in the EU and thus its potential contribution to the EU "Vision Zero" goal: reduce road deaths to almost zero by 2050. To this end we have developed a hybrid simulation model of rear-end collisions using multiple simulation methodologies, including System Dynamics (SD) and Agent Based Modelling (ABM).

In this paper we present research findings on collision warning systems and their influence on traffic safety, and present MEBWS – Motorcycle Emergency Braking Warning System, a patented innovation developed at the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto. MEBWS analyses motorcycle movement in real-time using an accelerometer and GPS speed measurement and monitors the following vehicles using a LIDAR. In case a dangerous situation is detected, the MEBWS alerts vehicles behind the motorcycle with an autonomous flashing LED. Furthermore, we are developing a simulation model that will allow us to gauge the influence of MEBWS on traffic safety in large traffic systems and its contribution to the European Union’s goal “Vision Zero” – to reduce road deaths to almost zero by 2050.