Designing cycling and running garments to increase conspicuity

Abstract

Poor conspicuity increases the risk of cyclists and pedestrians being involved in collisions with vehicles under low light conditions. Retroreflective strips in biomotion configuration significantly increases conspicuity. This study explored how to design biomotion garments that will appeal to cyclists and pedestrians. Nine focus groups involving 50 participants who ran/ cycled under low light conditions. Participants discussed their experiences of choosing and wearing garments for cycling/running, and barriers to wearing biomotion garments. Using thematic analysis, we identified three themes. Design describes how biomotion garments should be attractive and practical. Function describes how they should be comfortable and convenient. Promotion describes participant's beliefs regarding cost and how to best explain the safety benefits of biomotion garments. Our user-centre research identified how to make biomotion garments appealing. Safety should not compromise design and function: users are unlikely to wear poorly designed and uncomfortable biomotion garments regardless of how much they increase conspicuity.

Performance Quality of Braided e-Yarns for Pedestrian Interactive Textiles

“…Efforts have been made with material innovation, i.e., retro-reflective materials, which are effective in redirecting lights from their surfaces back to its source of origin [1]. Several studies by [2][3][4] have highlighted the ability of these retro-reflective materials to improve the visibility and recognition of the wearer on the road when they are placed as biomotion configurations on the clothing. Aside from this, lighting features, i.e., the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs), also play an important role in providing additional safety features which seek to improve the wearer's visibility and the response rate of the driver on the road.…”

Analysis of performance properties of retro-reflective woven fabrics made with retro-reflective yarns and natural yarns

“…3 As such, it improves the visibility, recognition, and conspicuity of road users, most especially pedestrians, at night-time. 4,5 RR materials have witnessed increased usage and higher sales in the global market, from a predicted value of US$3.6 billion to US$8.6 billion within a five-year period of time, that is, from 2021 to 2026. 6 This is largely due to their wide application in protective and visible clothing in the construction and other sectors.…”

“…Due to their inherent properties, researchers have experimented with these materials to understand their ability to enhance the visibility, recognition, and conspicuity of the road user. For example, recent review studies by Wood 7 and Seidu et al 5 and field experiment studies by Black et al, 8 Babi c et al, 9 Black et al, 10 and Fylan et al 4 have highlighted the importance of attaching these RR materials as strips around the movable joints of the body. This practice, known as "biomotion configuration," aims to improve the recognition of the human body silhouette and visibility by the driver on the road at night-time.…”

“…5 and field experiment studies by Black et al., 8 Babić et al., 9 Black et al., 10 and Fylan et al. 4 have highlighted the importance of attaching these RR materials as strips around the movable joints of the body. This practice, known as “biomotion configuration,” aims to improve the recognition of the human body silhouette and visibility by the driver on the road at night-time.…”