SMART BIKE TESTING INCLUDED REAL-TIME CRASH DETECTION
TECHNOLOGY, FROM PAGE 1:
before it changes,” Jenkins said. “It allows them to start slowing down ahead of time or accelerate if they’re trying to make the light.”
Testing also included low-level crash detection, which alerts a cyclist if a car enters its lane to give a warning that a crash could occur, which allows the rider time to avoid a collision.
“We give the rider a warning through a visual signal which gives them the location of the car, as the car gets closer to them — just giving the rider the ability to understand the situation behind them, so they can make safer riding decisions,” Jenkins said.
A high-level crash detection test was carried out in a protected area used for defensive driving training with MAIN-ST bicycle and a connected car the city provided.
“It’s all about giving the cyclist the benefit of utilizing the connected infrastructure that cars and trucks are already using.”
Michael Jenkins, senior scientist, Charles River Analytics
“The onboard unit sends out the same information as the low-level crash warning. But if the car is on a more imminent crash course with the rider, we can alert the cyclist with a visual location of where the collision is going to be coming from,” Jenkins said.
For example, if a cyclist is approaching an intersection and can’t see the cross traffic, and a car is approaching the intersection
on a collision course with the cyclist, the system can alert the cyclist about where to look to avoid a potential crash.
“It’s all about giving the cyclist the benefit of utilizing the connected infrastructure that cars and trucks are already using,” Jenkins said. mick.akers@lasvegassun.com / 702-948-7813 / @mickakers