Motorcycle Conspicuity Issues and Intervention: A Systematic Review
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Abstract
Background: Conspicuity has been one of the key factors in motorcycle road crashes around the world. The inability and difficulty of other road users in detecting motorcycles either at day or at night have contributed to conspicuity related motorcycle crashes. This literature review attempts to understand the motorcycle conspicuity issues in road traffic. The review also analyses relevant types of conspicuity intervention in terms of its effectiveness in enhancing motorcycle conspicuity that had been discussed in past studies.
Methods: Using specific keywords and search terms, relevant articles were screened, identified and analyzed systematically using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
Results: Twenty-seven final articles were reviewed and found that almost every part of motorcycle and motorcyclist’s conspicuity intervention have been covered in past studies. In terms of conspicuity aids, the majority of past studies discussed conspicuity enhancement in the frontal area, particularly on motorcycle daytime running headlight (DRH) color and configurations. Few other studies have discussed in other areas, particularly on rear running and brake light and motorcycle color. There were also numerous studies looking at motorcyclists’ appearances in terms of their attire and helmet color.
Conclusion: Motorcycle and motorcyclist’s appearances are highly associated with the risk of motorcycle crashes. The most important part of enhancing motorcycle conspicuity is to ensure motorcycle appearance is always in contrast with the road traffic environment.
1. Abdul Manan MM, Várhelyi A (2012). Motorcycle fatalities in Malaysia. IATSS Research,36(1):30–39.
2. Abdul Manan MM, Várhelyi A (2015). Exploration of motorcyclists’ behavior at access points of a Malaysian primary road – A qualitative observation study. Safety Science,74:172–183.
3. Che-Him N, Roslan R, Rusiman MS, et al (2018). Factors Affecting Road Traffic Accident in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. Series: Journal of Physics: Conf. Series, 995:012033.
4. Crundall D, Howard A, Young A (2017). Perceptual training to increase drivers’ ability to spot motorcycles at T-junctions. Transp. Res. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 48:1–12.
5. Darma Y, Karim MR, Abdullah S (2017). An analysis of Malaysia road traffic death distribution by road environment. Sādhanā, 42(9):1605–15.
6. Ibrahim MKA, Hamid H, Law TH, Wong SV (2018). Evaluating the effect of lane width and roadside configurations on speed, lateral position and likelihood of comfortable overtaking in exclusive motorcycle lane. Accid Anal Prev,111:63–70.
7. Law TH, Ghanbari M, Hamid H, et al (2015). Examining the effect of visual treatments on truck drivers’ time-to-arrival judgments of motorcycles at T-intersections. Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 33:66–74.
8. Khamis NK, Md Deros B, Nuawi MZ (2014). Understanding the Effect of Discomfort Level towards Motorcycle Riders among Teenagers: A Preliminary Study. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 663:480–84.
9. Lee YM, Sheppard E (2018). The effect of lighting conditions and use of headlights on drivers’ perception and appraisal of approaching vehicles at junctions. Ergonomics, 61(3):444–55.
10. Oxley J, O’Hern S, Jamaludin A (2018). An observational study of restraint and helmet wearing behaviour in Malaysia. Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 56:176–184.
11. Vafaee-Najar A, Esmaeili H, Ibrahimipour H, et al (2010). Motorcycle fatal accidents in khorasan razavi province, iran. Iran J Public Health, 39(2): 95–101.
12. Hashempour R, Tahmasebi A, Veysi M, et al (2019). Cost analysis of accidents according to demographic factors in Iran. Iran J Public Health, 48(7):1346-1353.
13. Law TH, Ghanbari M, Hamid H, et al (2016). Role of sensory and cognitive conspicuity in the prevention of collisions between motorcycles and trucks at T-intersections. Accident; Analysis and Prevention, 96:64–70.
14. Ptak M (2019). Method to Assess and Enhance Vulnerable Road User Safety during Impact Loading. Appl. Sci,9(5):1000.
15. Shah SAR, Ahmad N (2019). Road Infrastructure Analysis with Reference to Traffic Stream Characteristics and Accidents: An Application of Benchmarking Based Safety Analysis and Sustainable Decision-Making. Appl. Sci. 9(11):2320.
16. Studer L, Paglino V, Gandini P, et al (2018). Analysis of the Relationship between Road Accidents and Psychophysical State of Drivers through Wearable Devices. Appl. Sci, 8(8):1230.
17. Police RM (2018). Malaysia Road Crashes Statistic Report; 2018.
18. Azhar H, Ariffin AH, Syazwan SM, et al (2014). Comparative Study of Motorcycle Helmets Impact Performance. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 575:306–310.
19. Amiruddin Ismail, and Gan, Soon Yi, et al (2015). Study on Drivers’ Behaviour Relationships to Reduce Road Accidents in Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Jurnal Kejuruteraan ,27:81–85.
20. Ramli R, Oxley J (2016). Motorcycle helmet fixation status is more crucial than helmet type in providing protection to the head. Injury, 47(11):2442–2449.
21. Ramli R, Oxley J, Hillard P, et al (2014). The effect of motorcycle helmet type, components and fixation status on facial injury in Klang Valley, Malaysia: a case control study. BMC Emerg. Med, 14:17.
22. Ismail R, Din NC, Lee OL, et al (2015). Role of sensation seeking and aggression on risk riding behaviors among motorcycle street racers in Malaysia. e-Bangi, 12(4).
23. Borhan MN, Ibrahim ANH, Aziz A, Yazid MRM (2018). The relationship between the demographic, personal, and social factors of Malaysian motorcyclists and risk taking behavior at signalized intersections. Accident Analysis and Prevention ,121:94–100.
24. Solah MS, Hamzah A, Mohd Jawi Z, et al (2019). The Requisite for Motorcycle Personal Protective Clothing: Malaysia’s Perspective. J Journal of the Society of Automotive Engineers Malaysia,3(2):74–83.
25. Samuel OO (2016). Increasing motorcycle conspicuity – design and assessment of intervention to enhance rider safety. Ergonomics, 59(5):735.
26. Helman S, Weare A, Palmer M, et al (2012). Literature review of interventions to improve the conspicuity of motorcyclists and help avoid “looked but failed to see” accidents. Transport Research Laboratory, MSAC.
27. L LJ, W BM, K FD, Ben S, A SJ (2012). Examining the impact of age and multitasking on motorcycle conspicuity. Work, 1:5384-5.
28. Pinto M, Cavallo V, Saint-Pierre G (2014). Influence of front light configuration on the visual conspicuity of motorcycles. Accid Anal Prev,62:230–7.
29. Ranchet M, Cavallo V, Dang N-T, Vienne F (2016). Improving motorcycle conspicuity through innovative headlight configurations. Accident Analysis and Prevention,94:119–26.
30. Rößger L, Hagen K, Krzywinski J, Schlag B (2012). Recognisability of different configurations of front lights on motorcycles. Accid Anal Prev,44(1):82–7.
31. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Med, 6(7):e1000097.
32. Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, et al (2009). The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration. PLoS Med. 6(7):e1000100.
33. Gershon P, Ben-Asher N, Shinar D (2012). Attention and search conspicuity of motorcycles as a function of their visual context. Accident; Analysis and Prevention, 44(1):97–103.
34. Gershon P, Shinar D (2013). Increasing motorcycles attention and search conspicuity by using Alternating-Blinking Lights System (ABLS). Accid Anal Prev,50:801–10.
35. Rogé J, Laurent S, Ndiaye D, et al (2018). Does a yellow jacket enhance cyclists’ sensory conspicuity for car drivers during daylight hours in an urban environment? Safety Science, 385-391.
36. Farmer CM, Williams AF (2002). Effects of daytime running lights on multiple-vehicle daylight crashes in the United States. Accident Analysis & Prevention,34(2):197–203.
37. Binder S, Perel M, Pierowicz J, et al (2006). Motorcycle Conspicuity and the Effects of Motor Vehicle Fleet Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
38. Al-Awar Smither J, Torrez LI (2010). Motorcycle conspicuity: effects of age and daytime running lights. Hum Factors, 52(3):355–69.
39. Pai C-W. (2011). Motorcycle right-of-way accidents—A literature review. Accid. Anal. Prev. 43(3):971–82.
40. Cavallo V, Pinto M. (2012). Are car daytime running lights detrimental to motorcycle conspicuity? Accident Analysis & Prevention,49:78–85.
41. Mitsopoulos-Rubens E, Lenné MG (2012). Issues in motorcycle sensory and cognitive conspicuity: The impact of motorcycle low-beam headlights and riding experience on drivers’ decisions to turn across the path of a motorcycle. Accident; Analysis and Prevention,49:86–95.
42. Mohd Khairudin R, Mohd Hafzi MI, Azhar H (2013). Amber Position Lamp as Daytime Running Light for Motorcycle. Advanced Engineering Forum,10:357–60.
43. de Craen S, Doumen MJA, van Norden Y (2014). A different perspective on conspicuity related motorcycle crashes. Accident Analysis and Prevention,63:133–37.
44. Rahman MK, Solah MS, Hamzah A, et al (2014). Visual Masking of Motorcycle Turn Signals by Amber Position Lamps. Aust J Basic Appl Sci, 8(14):1–6.
45. Davoodi SR, Hossayni SM (2015). Role of Motorcycle Running Lights in Reducing Motorcycle Crashes during Daytime; A Review of the Current Literature. Bull Emerg Trauma,3(3):73–78.
46. Costa M, Bonetti L, Bellelli M, et al (2017). Reflective Tape Applied to Bicycle Frame and Conspicuity Enhancement at Night. Hum Factors, 59(3):485–500.
47. Lee YM, Sheppard E (2017). Differences in gap acceptance for approaching cars and motorcycles at junctions: What causes the size-arrival effect? Approaching cars and motorcycles at junctions - Perception and Judgement,50:50–54.
48. Wells S, Mullin B, Norton R, et al (2004). Motorcycle rider conspicuity and crash related injury: case-control study. BMJ, 328(7444):857.
49. Shaheed MS, Gkritza K, Marshall D (2012). Motorcycle Conspicuity – What Factors Have the Greatest Impact. Midwest Transportation Consortium.
50. Rogé J, Douissembekov E, Vienne F (2012). Low conspicuity of motorcycles for car drivers: dominant role of bottom-up control of visual attention or deficit of top-down control? Hum Factors,54(1):14–25.
51. Shaheed MS, Zhang W, Gkritza K, Hans Z (2011). Differences in Motorcycle Conspicuity-related Factors and Motorcycle Crash Severities in Daylight and Dark Conditions. 3rd Int. Conf. Road Saf. Simul.
52. Mohd Syazwan S, Hamzah A, Rahman MK, Mohamed N (2013). Prevalence Study of Motorcycle Lightings and Conspicuity. Proc. Southeast Asia Safer Mobil. Symp. 2013.
53. Rogé J, El Zufari V, Vienne F, Ndiaye D (2015). Safety messages and visibility of vulnerable road users for drivers. Safety Science,79:29–38.
2. Abdul Manan MM, Várhelyi A (2015). Exploration of motorcyclists’ behavior at access points of a Malaysian primary road – A qualitative observation study. Safety Science,74:172–183.
3. Che-Him N, Roslan R, Rusiman MS, et al (2018). Factors Affecting Road Traffic Accident in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. Series: Journal of Physics: Conf. Series, 995:012033.
4. Crundall D, Howard A, Young A (2017). Perceptual training to increase drivers’ ability to spot motorcycles at T-junctions. Transp. Res. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 48:1–12.
5. Darma Y, Karim MR, Abdullah S (2017). An analysis of Malaysia road traffic death distribution by road environment. Sādhanā, 42(9):1605–15.
6. Ibrahim MKA, Hamid H, Law TH, Wong SV (2018). Evaluating the effect of lane width and roadside configurations on speed, lateral position and likelihood of comfortable overtaking in exclusive motorcycle lane. Accid Anal Prev,111:63–70.
7. Law TH, Ghanbari M, Hamid H, et al (2015). Examining the effect of visual treatments on truck drivers’ time-to-arrival judgments of motorcycles at T-intersections. Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 33:66–74.
8. Khamis NK, Md Deros B, Nuawi MZ (2014). Understanding the Effect of Discomfort Level towards Motorcycle Riders among Teenagers: A Preliminary Study. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 663:480–84.
9. Lee YM, Sheppard E (2018). The effect of lighting conditions and use of headlights on drivers’ perception and appraisal of approaching vehicles at junctions. Ergonomics, 61(3):444–55.
10. Oxley J, O’Hern S, Jamaludin A (2018). An observational study of restraint and helmet wearing behaviour in Malaysia. Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 56:176–184.
11. Vafaee-Najar A, Esmaeili H, Ibrahimipour H, et al (2010). Motorcycle fatal accidents in khorasan razavi province, iran. Iran J Public Health, 39(2): 95–101.
12. Hashempour R, Tahmasebi A, Veysi M, et al (2019). Cost analysis of accidents according to demographic factors in Iran. Iran J Public Health, 48(7):1346-1353.
13. Law TH, Ghanbari M, Hamid H, et al (2016). Role of sensory and cognitive conspicuity in the prevention of collisions between motorcycles and trucks at T-intersections. Accident; Analysis and Prevention, 96:64–70.
14. Ptak M (2019). Method to Assess and Enhance Vulnerable Road User Safety during Impact Loading. Appl. Sci,9(5):1000.
15. Shah SAR, Ahmad N (2019). Road Infrastructure Analysis with Reference to Traffic Stream Characteristics and Accidents: An Application of Benchmarking Based Safety Analysis and Sustainable Decision-Making. Appl. Sci. 9(11):2320.
16. Studer L, Paglino V, Gandini P, et al (2018). Analysis of the Relationship between Road Accidents and Psychophysical State of Drivers through Wearable Devices. Appl. Sci, 8(8):1230.
17. Police RM (2018). Malaysia Road Crashes Statistic Report; 2018.
18. Azhar H, Ariffin AH, Syazwan SM, et al (2014). Comparative Study of Motorcycle Helmets Impact Performance. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 575:306–310.
19. Amiruddin Ismail, and Gan, Soon Yi, et al (2015). Study on Drivers’ Behaviour Relationships to Reduce Road Accidents in Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Jurnal Kejuruteraan ,27:81–85.
20. Ramli R, Oxley J (2016). Motorcycle helmet fixation status is more crucial than helmet type in providing protection to the head. Injury, 47(11):2442–2449.
21. Ramli R, Oxley J, Hillard P, et al (2014). The effect of motorcycle helmet type, components and fixation status on facial injury in Klang Valley, Malaysia: a case control study. BMC Emerg. Med, 14:17.
22. Ismail R, Din NC, Lee OL, et al (2015). Role of sensation seeking and aggression on risk riding behaviors among motorcycle street racers in Malaysia. e-Bangi, 12(4).
23. Borhan MN, Ibrahim ANH, Aziz A, Yazid MRM (2018). The relationship between the demographic, personal, and social factors of Malaysian motorcyclists and risk taking behavior at signalized intersections. Accident Analysis and Prevention ,121:94–100.
24. Solah MS, Hamzah A, Mohd Jawi Z, et al (2019). The Requisite for Motorcycle Personal Protective Clothing: Malaysia’s Perspective. J Journal of the Society of Automotive Engineers Malaysia,3(2):74–83.
25. Samuel OO (2016). Increasing motorcycle conspicuity – design and assessment of intervention to enhance rider safety. Ergonomics, 59(5):735.
26. Helman S, Weare A, Palmer M, et al (2012). Literature review of interventions to improve the conspicuity of motorcyclists and help avoid “looked but failed to see” accidents. Transport Research Laboratory, MSAC.
27. L LJ, W BM, K FD, Ben S, A SJ (2012). Examining the impact of age and multitasking on motorcycle conspicuity. Work, 1:5384-5.
28. Pinto M, Cavallo V, Saint-Pierre G (2014). Influence of front light configuration on the visual conspicuity of motorcycles. Accid Anal Prev,62:230–7.
29. Ranchet M, Cavallo V, Dang N-T, Vienne F (2016). Improving motorcycle conspicuity through innovative headlight configurations. Accident Analysis and Prevention,94:119–26.
30. Rößger L, Hagen K, Krzywinski J, Schlag B (2012). Recognisability of different configurations of front lights on motorcycles. Accid Anal Prev,44(1):82–7.
31. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Med, 6(7):e1000097.
32. Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, et al (2009). The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration. PLoS Med. 6(7):e1000100.
33. Gershon P, Ben-Asher N, Shinar D (2012). Attention and search conspicuity of motorcycles as a function of their visual context. Accident; Analysis and Prevention, 44(1):97–103.
34. Gershon P, Shinar D (2013). Increasing motorcycles attention and search conspicuity by using Alternating-Blinking Lights System (ABLS). Accid Anal Prev,50:801–10.
35. Rogé J, Laurent S, Ndiaye D, et al (2018). Does a yellow jacket enhance cyclists’ sensory conspicuity for car drivers during daylight hours in an urban environment? Safety Science, 385-391.
36. Farmer CM, Williams AF (2002). Effects of daytime running lights on multiple-vehicle daylight crashes in the United States. Accident Analysis & Prevention,34(2):197–203.
37. Binder S, Perel M, Pierowicz J, et al (2006). Motorcycle Conspicuity and the Effects of Motor Vehicle Fleet Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
38. Al-Awar Smither J, Torrez LI (2010). Motorcycle conspicuity: effects of age and daytime running lights. Hum Factors, 52(3):355–69.
39. Pai C-W. (2011). Motorcycle right-of-way accidents—A literature review. Accid. Anal. Prev. 43(3):971–82.
40. Cavallo V, Pinto M. (2012). Are car daytime running lights detrimental to motorcycle conspicuity? Accident Analysis & Prevention,49:78–85.
41. Mitsopoulos-Rubens E, Lenné MG (2012). Issues in motorcycle sensory and cognitive conspicuity: The impact of motorcycle low-beam headlights and riding experience on drivers’ decisions to turn across the path of a motorcycle. Accident; Analysis and Prevention,49:86–95.
42. Mohd Khairudin R, Mohd Hafzi MI, Azhar H (2013). Amber Position Lamp as Daytime Running Light for Motorcycle. Advanced Engineering Forum,10:357–60.
43. de Craen S, Doumen MJA, van Norden Y (2014). A different perspective on conspicuity related motorcycle crashes. Accident Analysis and Prevention,63:133–37.
44. Rahman MK, Solah MS, Hamzah A, et al (2014). Visual Masking of Motorcycle Turn Signals by Amber Position Lamps. Aust J Basic Appl Sci, 8(14):1–6.
45. Davoodi SR, Hossayni SM (2015). Role of Motorcycle Running Lights in Reducing Motorcycle Crashes during Daytime; A Review of the Current Literature. Bull Emerg Trauma,3(3):73–78.
46. Costa M, Bonetti L, Bellelli M, et al (2017). Reflective Tape Applied to Bicycle Frame and Conspicuity Enhancement at Night. Hum Factors, 59(3):485–500.
47. Lee YM, Sheppard E (2017). Differences in gap acceptance for approaching cars and motorcycles at junctions: What causes the size-arrival effect? Approaching cars and motorcycles at junctions - Perception and Judgement,50:50–54.
48. Wells S, Mullin B, Norton R, et al (2004). Motorcycle rider conspicuity and crash related injury: case-control study. BMJ, 328(7444):857.
49. Shaheed MS, Gkritza K, Marshall D (2012). Motorcycle Conspicuity – What Factors Have the Greatest Impact. Midwest Transportation Consortium.
50. Rogé J, Douissembekov E, Vienne F (2012). Low conspicuity of motorcycles for car drivers: dominant role of bottom-up control of visual attention or deficit of top-down control? Hum Factors,54(1):14–25.
51. Shaheed MS, Zhang W, Gkritza K, Hans Z (2011). Differences in Motorcycle Conspicuity-related Factors and Motorcycle Crash Severities in Daylight and Dark Conditions. 3rd Int. Conf. Road Saf. Simul.
52. Mohd Syazwan S, Hamzah A, Rahman MK, Mohamed N (2013). Prevalence Study of Motorcycle Lightings and Conspicuity. Proc. Southeast Asia Safer Mobil. Symp. 2013.
53. Rogé J, El Zufari V, Vienne F, Ndiaye D (2015). Safety messages and visibility of vulnerable road users for drivers. Safety Science,79:29–38.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 50 No 1 (2021) | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v50i1.5069 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Conspicuity Motorcycle conspicuity Motorcyclist conspicuity Motorcycle safety Road safety | ||
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How to Cite
1.
ABDUL KHALID MS, KHAMIS NK, ABU MANSOR MR, HAMZAH A. Motorcycle Conspicuity Issues and Intervention: A Systematic Review. Iran J Public Health. 2020;50(1):24-34.
