Eyetracking as a Tool to Understand Motorcyclists' Accident Susceptibility

Motorcycle accidents pose a significant challenge to traffic safety, particularly in achieving the Vision Zero goal. This study focuses on evaluating the speed selection and visual attention of motorcyclists while navigating curves with the use of eye-tracking technology and speedometer. Eye-tracking provides valuable insights into the visual distribution and cognitive processes of riders, which are crucial for understanding accident causation and improving safety measures.
Using the Tobii Eye Tracker system, we recorded the eye movements and speed data of 60 motorcyclists across three experience levels: novice riders with less than three years of experience, intermediate riders with more than three years of experience, and professional riders such as police officers and motorcycle driving instructors. The participants rode along a predefined route featuring various curves. Eye fixation data were analyzed to identify the attentional distribution in different segments of the route, while speed data were used to assess their speed selection through curves.
Our findings indicate significant differences in speed selection between the groups. Novice riders tended to enter curves at higher speeds and made more abrupt speed adjustments, suggesting a less efficient speed management strategy. In contrast, professional riders demonstrated smoother speed transitions and more consistent speed control, indicating a more anticipatory and controlled approach to navigating curves. These differences highlight the importance of experience in developing effective speed management strategies for safe riding.
The study underscores the potential of eye-tracking as a tool for enhancing motorcycle safety training programs. By identifying group speed management behaviors associated with higher risk, targeted interventions can be developed to improve riders' speed control and hazard perception skills. Future research should explore the integration of technologies such as eye-tracking with other physiological and behavioral measures to provide a comprehensive understanding of motorcyclist safety.

Keywords: Eye-tracking, Motorcyclists, Speed, Safe riding.