Search

Road cycling, both individually and in groups, is common in Spain, where most two-lane rural roads have no cycle lanes. Due to this, and the difference in speed between drivers and cyclists, the overtaking manoeuvre is one of the most dangerous interactions. This study analyses how road geometry influences the overtaking manoeuvre performance. Field data of 1355 overtaking manoeuvres were collected using instrumented bicycles, riding along different rural road segments, and considering individual, medium and large groups of cyclists. The safety variables that characterise the overtaking manoeuvre are overtaking vehicle speed and lateral clearance. These variables have been correlated to geometric characteristics of the road, such as the type of centre line, the horizontal alignment, the speed limit, and the road cross section. Regression models have been fitted considering each cyclist group size and configuration. For individuals and medium groups, wider roads generate higher lateral clearances and lower overtaking speeds, while for large groups only the solid centre line was significant, generating lower clearances and higher speeds. Results suggest that other factors need to be considered, especially for large groups. Results offer a deeper understanding of the phenomenon by providing key points for improving road geometry design, such as widening the shoulders.

[EN] Mobility patterns and lifestyles have changed in recent years in cities worldwide, thanks to the strong rise in modes of travel commonly referred to as micromobility. In this context, e-scooters have experienced a great rise globally which has led to an increase of crashes involving this type of micromobility vehicle in urban areas. Thus, there is a need to study e-scooter users¿ behaviour and their interaction with cyclists. This research aimed at characterizing the meeting manoeuvre between micromobility users along diverse typologies of two-way bicycle track by using an in-strumented e-scooter. As a result, bicycle tracks having concrete or vegetated curb presented lower clearance distance (¿0.8 m) than those without edge elements (>1 m), with no statistically signif-icant differences found between the interaction with bicycles and e-scooters. Additionally, an online questionnaire was proposed to assess users¿ perceived risk during the meeting manoeuvre, concluding that micromobility users feel safer and more comfortable riding on pavements away from parked or moving motorized traffic, and on protected bicycle tracks., FundingThis research is part of the research project PID2019-111744RB-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.

A new method for fitting the horizontal alignment of a road to a set of (x, y) points is proposed in this article. The proposed method describes the horizontal alignment as a sequence of headings unlike current methods that represent road alignment through curvature.These points are obtained from digital imagery or global positioning system (GPS)-data collection. An analytic-heuristic approach is introduced and the proposed method produces unique solutions for complex horizontal alignments. Researchers and departments of transportation could obtain accurate geometric features using the solution. However, the solution may not be accurate enough for road redesign. The article presented case studies using the method.

Methodologies based on naturalistic observation provide the most accurate data for studying drivers' behaviour. This study presents a new methodology to obtain naturalistic data related to drivers' behaviour in a road segment. It is based on the combination of using global positioning system data and drivers' questionnaires. The continuous speed profiles along a road segment and the characteristics of drivers, of their trips and the type of their vehicles can be obtained for a great amount of drivers. It has already been successfully used for several studies, such as the development of models to estimate operating speed profile in two-lane rural road segments; or the characterisation of driving styles. These operating speed models have been the key for the development of a new geometric design consistency model, allowing an easier road safety evaluation. Besides, knowledge on the human factors that influence speed choice may be useful for road safety media campaigns and education programs designers, and also for the improvement of intelligent driver assistance systems., The authors thank 'Centre for Studies and Experimentation of Public Works (CEDEX)' of the 'Spanish Ministry of Public Works' that partially subsidizes the research. We also wish to thank to the 'General Directorate of Public Works, Urban Projects and Housing' of the 'Infrastructure, Territory and Environment Department' of the 'Valencian Government', to the 'Valencian Provincial Council' and to the 'General Directorate of Traffic' of the 'Ministry of the Interior' for their cooperation in field data gathering.