Improving Traffic Safety For Dutch Cyclists

Improving Traffic Safety For Dutch Cyclists

Deun, M.S.

Van de Geer, S.G. (mentor)
Minnoye, A.L.M. (mentor)

Industrial Design Engineering

Industrial Design

Master of Science Integrated Product Design

2016-01-28

This project has been focused on developing a product for cyclists to improve their safety. Cyclists are the most vulnerable traffic participants and are the group of road users with the highest numbers of accidents. Most of these accidents are caused by contact with passenger cars/motorized vehicles. The Dutch rural areas are the most dangerous areas for cyclists and are therefore set as context. More research has been conducted into the influences, distractions and situations of these types of accidents between cyclists and drivers of motorized vehicles, in order to develop a specific problem definition. It has been proved that most of these accidents are caused in situations where motorized vehicles overtake the cyclist while these cyclists are being distracted. The major part of these distractions is caused by electronic devices or music. The overall research has shown that these types of accidents are a significant problem in the Netherlands, which shows great opportunities for designing a product for improvement. After setting a specific problem definition, more research as been done among cyclists in the Netherlands. This research shows that the secondary school pupils are the largest group of cyclists that use electronic devices while cycling, plus they represent the highest rate of traffic cycle accidents. Because most parents are aware of the fact that their children are more vulnerable on their bicycles, they are willing to spend money to improve the safety of their children. To obtain more information on the specific needs and wishes of the target group, research has been done among these secondary school pupils, using questionnaires. This provided valuable input for this project. Because electric and non-electric city bicycles showed great market opportunities, it was decided to design a product that fits both types of bicycles. The beneficial aspect of the electric bicycle is that power could be drained from the battery of the bicycle. This power option is left as future recommendation. Entrepreneurship During the entire process the design decisions are made by a combination of an industrial designers perspective and an entrepreneurial perspective. Research has been conducted on different patents, and market opportunities have continuously been checked, and a rough future plan is developed. The product After all research a list of requirements and wishes was created, which has been continuously updated during the process. Multiple rounds of ideation have resulted in three concepts that meet all the requirements. Three different selection methods were implemented in order to make the legitimate decision of the final concept. The final product consists out of two sub-products: a sensing part and a receiving part. The sensing part is able to sense approaching vehicles up to a distance of 18 meters due to the integrated ultrasonic sensor. Once an approaching vehicle is sensed, a message is sent towards the receiving part through the wireless radio frequency transmitting module. Subsequently, the other part is able to receive this message through the wireless radio frequency receiving module, decode it and transmit it into warning signals. These warning signals are small pulses of vibration, created by a vibration motor that is located on the handlebar. The interval between these pulses increases as the vehicle approaches, which notifies the user of the exact distance of the vehicle. Both parts are attached to the bicycle by a permanent, commonly used mounting system. The sensing part is located at the rear part of the bicycle, at the tube that leads from the center of the wheel towards the carrier rack. The receiving part is located at the handlebar. This part contains a vibration motor, which is (when installed correctly) pressed tightly against the handlebar in order to let the user feel a strong vibration as warning signal. The material of the components is flexible enough to bend around the frame, while it is subsequently also rigid enough for a good transmission of the vibration in the handlebar. Most components of the product have been fully tested, validated and optimized. The conducted tests were mainly focused on the functioning of the sensors and the transmitted vibration, the experience of using the product while cycling, and on the aesthetics. All extreme situations and conditions have been considered and most solutions are implemented into the design. Eventually this project has resulted into a validated product, with opportunities for a future entrepreneurship. More tests should be conducted and some aspects should be developed further before the product is ready for production. Recommendations for these aspects are shown next.

safety
cyclist
design

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:f4b105a2-9fd5-4039-aa6c-a3bf48c8728b

Campus only

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2016 Deun, M.S.