ITS & PTWs: opportunities, research challenges and the role of riders

1. ITS & PTWs: opportunities, research challenges and the role of riders Niccolò Baldanzini Research Centre for Innovation and Safety of PTWs University of Florence

2. Opportunities • Which could be the benefits of Intelligent Transport Systems applied to PTWs? • informative & monitoring functions • increase safety • Why could this be a benefit? • information is an asset in our society; • timely delivered information could improve decision-making processes when riding; • safety … European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010

3. Opportunities • Support the rider. • When and how? An example: human failure in perception and/or action. European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010

4. Opportunities cooperative systems airbag suspensions enhanced braking supportive functions warning strategies & devices eCall minutes seconds milliseconds seconds minutes COMMUNICATION INTERVENTION INTERVENTION DETECTION & WARNING European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010

5. Research challenges is not • Knowledge from 4-wheeled vehicles can be partially transferred. • Adaptation is nevertheless required. • Several innovations can be introduced and new developments are necessary. European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010

6. Research challenges • Supportive functions: • innovative functions (e.g. curve warning) as well as transfer of concepts (i.e. same objectives) used in cars; • totally new implementation because of: • different vehicle size and handling (and thus different critical conditions); • more complex object detection (large roll angle); • need to redesign the interaction with rider. • Informative & monitoring functions: • tailored content; • new concepts for information delivery. European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010

7. Research challenges • HMI: • interfaces: • seat; • handlebar; • helmet; • gloves; • modality: • audio; • video; • tactile; • vibrational; • uni / multi modal communication; • evaluation of the efficiency. European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010

8. Research challenges source: PISa project • Necessity to elaborate reliable scenario detection for selective activation. • Other devices could be developed specifically for PTWs, targeted to the pre-crash phase: • enhanced braking (i.e. maximization of the braking force); • ad-hoc deployment of safety devices (e.g. air bag); • reduction of impact energy; • modification of the front suspension damping. European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010

9. Role of riders development Riders’ expectations testing Researchers’ proposals feedback European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010

10. Role of riders • Within the Saferider project a survey and a focus group were organized to identify riders’ expectations and wants. • Main results are: • riders have to be in control of the PTW (i.e. no autonomous actions); • each function should have the possibility to be turned off; • system robustness, i.e. no false alarms; • no safety functions should rely on the use of batteries; • utmost attention to avoid overloading and saturation of the rider with information. European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010

11. Conclusions • ITS has the potential to improve motorcycling with new services and to increase riders’ safety. • The implementation of this potential into viable products is a complex task because of: • an high number of scenarios to be considered; • a more intense interaction with the environment. • Extensive testing and iteration cycles are needed to ensure products compliant with riders’ expectations. European Motorcyclists' Forum - Brussels, 28 June 2010