Analysis of the Vehicle-Bicycles Interaction on Two-Lane Rural Roads Using a Driving Simulator Based on Field Data

[EN] The presence of cyclists on Spanish two-lane rural roads is common, so they have to interact with motor vehicles. Due to the speed differential and vulnerability of cyclists, overtaking is one of the most dangerous and frequent interactions. Therefore, a minimum distance of 1.5 m must be observed. The overtaking maneuver depends on road section and cyclist group distribution. Interaction between cyclists and vehicles has been characterized in the past but overtaking to cyclist groups has barely been studied. This study uses a driving simulator to analyze how the presence of cyclists and their group configuration affect traffic operation and safety on two-lane rural roads. A fixed driving simulator has been adapted to incorporate cyclists, using speed and lateral position obtained from field studies. Based on field data, a physical scenario and different traffic scenarios have been recreated, so volunteers can drive the simulator ¿ emulating a motor vehicle ¿ tracking their speed, lateral position, and other variables. These results can be compared to those observed for checking the validity of this methodology. The driving simulator offers some results which are difficult to obtain through other methodologies, enabling a better analysis of the phenomenon. By sorting different bicycle patterns and including several volunteers, the impact of bicycle pelotons on traffic performance and safety can be characterized. This will help in offering recommendations to integrate cyclists and motor vehicles in a safer way. ; This study was part of a research project titled Improvement of safety and operation of twolane rural roads with cyclists (Bike2Lane) (TRA 2016-8089-R) subsidized by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. In addition, the authors would like to thank the Road Department of the Valencian Provincial Council, and General Directorate of Traffic of Spain, for their cooperation in field data gathering. ; Dols Ruiz, JF.; Molina, J.; Moll Montaner, S.; López-Maldonado, G.; Camacho-Torregrosa, FJ.; García ...