ITS for PTWs

Many ITS technologies have been developed to improve the safety and efficiency of vehicles, public transportation and infrastructure. These technologies also enhance the safety of vulnerable road users.
Nevertheless, few solutions have been proposed for improving motorcycle rider safety [Hsu00] [RTYTMST06]. In fact, whilst several systems have been developed in order to improve the safety of car drivers, there are fewer than ten currently available in motorcycle manufacturing. Consequently, there is an unexploited prospective market for ITS technologies for motorcycles, especially those systems that deal with collision avoidance and stability [Thi10].
For several years, motorcyclists’ associations have called for the careful examination and consideration of different Intelligent Transportation Systems applications aimed at improving motorcycle riding safety. In the USA, the action plan for Motorcycle Safety (2000) put forward by the “Motorcycle Safety Foundation” (MSF) denounced the lack of consideration of motorcycles in ITS development. Among the suggestions made by the MSF were improvements to the detection of motorcycles in traffic and the identification of ITS as having potential for motorcycle vehicles. Similarly, ACEM (European Motorcycle Manufacturers Association) published an action plan [MAIDS04] in which it highlighted the development of inter-vehicle communications in ITS to address problems related to visibility and collision avoidance. The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF, 2006) identified the need to develop embedded navigation and rider assistance systems. The European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (published by the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations, FEMA, 2004) also encouraged the use of daytime running lights (DRL), antiblocking brake systems (ABS) and combined braking systems (CBS), as well as other security measures.
Little evidence of specific motorcycle ITS currently exists. The only notable exception is the Japanese programme of advanced security, in which ITS prototypes have been developed by Honda (ASV-3 prototype) and Yamaha (also known as the ASV-3 prototype, but essentially a different prototype). Honda, for example, have proposed the use of inter-vehicular communication to address the issue of intersections, and the use of cameras and radar for traffic (and pedestrian) detection. Yamaha’s suggestions have included an obstacle detection system and an advanced lighting system. However, no objective evaluation that highlights the effectiveness of such systems has been given.
As far as the literature is concerned, there is little mention of the risk of riding motorized two-wheeled vehicles [ELR08], [SAMN09]. The majority of research deals with the simple rearrangement of existing car systems without taking into consideration the specificities and dynamics of motorcycle riding.
In France, there is a lack of powered motorcycle manufacturers; thus, research to date has been mainly undertaken by public institutions and few of these have dealt with Intelligent Transportation Systems. At a European level, the PISa project (6th PCRD), SIM (6th PCRD) and SAFERIDER (7th PCRD) looked at the development of ITS, although their evaluation was rather limited. It should be noted that IFSTTAR participated in the SAFERIDER project, in which a bend warning system was prototyped. This system is based on purely kinematic considerations with a priori knowledge about the vehicle’s trajectory.
From this brief review, it is clear that efforts should be made to bring up to speed research and development
into ITS technologies for motorcycle safety enhancement.