Drivers’ Behavior at Bicycle Crossroads

The main objective of this study was to examine the effect on drivers’ behavior of several countermeasures at bicycle crossroads during the driver–cyclist interaction (a cyclist that crosses the road) by the use of a driving simulator. Three conditions of cyclist crossroads were investigated: baseline condition (no treatment), raised island and the colored paved markings. Forty-two participants drove a suburban scenario with several bicycle crossroads having different configurations and presence/absence of cyclist. 378 speed profiles were plotted from 150 m before each crossroads. The analysis revealed that the driver’s speed behavior was fully consistent with the behavioral models in literature. A further analysis was performed on driver’s speed by ANOVA. Results showed that there was a main effect of the countermeasures, which determined lower speeds compared with that of the baseline condition. In addition, driver behavior was actually characterized by the specific peculiarities of the two countermeasures and both determined a better yielding behavior. However, the outcome of the questionnaire to participants showed that colored paved markings was considered as the most effective in terms of driving aid.