| Roadway
Characteristics
Other Vehicle Design
First Response
Intelligent Transportation
Systems
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| ISSUE
STATEMENT |
The design of other vehicles plays a role in motorcycle safety.
For example, mirror design may compromise visibility. Vehicle height
may obscure a motorcyclist’s ability to survey the surrounding
traffic environment.
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| WHERE
WE ARE |
There is little effort to design or test other vehicles to increase
motorcyclist safety.
There are increasing numbers of tall vehicles on the road. Tall
vehicles obscure a motorcyclist’s view of the environment
and surrounding traffic. They also obscure other drivers’
views of motorcycles. In a collision with a tall vehicle, a motorcyclist
is less likely to vault over the vehicle after the collision than
in a collision with a lower vehicle.
Blind spots on automobiles and trucks make it harder for drivers
to see motorcyclists. Mirror design may compromise the ability
of drivers to detect motorcycles.
The design of other vehicles as it pertains to injury agents
also affects motorcycles when a crash occurs.
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| DRL on automobiles may reduce the effectiveness of
operating motorcycles’ headlights during the day as a conspicuity
measure.
The spray from vehicles, especially heavy trucks, on wet roads
may adversely affect a motorcyclist’s vision.
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| WHERE
WE WANT TO BE |
We want consideration for motorcycles to be incorporated into the
design of other vehicles.
We would like motorcyclists to be aware of how other vehicle
design may affect their safety and adjust riding strategies accordingly.
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| HOW
TO GET THERE |
Undertake crash investigation research to determine which elements
of other vehicle design adversely affect motorcycle safety.
Encourage other vehicle designers to research and consider how
a specific vehicle design may affect motorcycles and their riders.
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