Citation

Smith D. Vis. Zero Int. 2016; 2016(Jan): 50-54.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, UKIP Media)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article describes some of the technological innovations that car manufacturers are incorporating to increase bicycle safety and prevent automobile-bicycle crashes. Volvo has produced a prototype for a cloud-based warning system and a reflective Volvo Life Paint for cyclists; the Volvo City Safety system includes automatic emergency braking (AEB) which includes bicycle and pedestrian warning systems which use radar and cameras for detection. Subaru's EyeSight system uses cameras mounted inside the car to identify other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. Ford's latest safety camera system uses split-view technology to help avert crashes when a cyclist enters the vehicle's path from the side and Ford's new Spot Lighting technology locates, tracks, and lights up to eight people, cyclists, or large animals. Toyota's Pre-Collision System (PCS) was designed for pedestrian safety but also may be useful for bicycle safety. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Bike Sense uses lights and sounds in the car to alert the driver of a bicycle in proximity or even to identify hidden hazards that the vehicle's sensors pick up. A final section of the article considers some of the safety equipment that bicyclists may use that includes connectivity between bicycles and vehicles with a smartphone application.

Keywords

Driver support systems; Vehicle safety; Cyclists; Crash avoidance systems; Warning systems; Sensors; Proximity detectors; Ford Motor Company; Jaguar automobile; Subaru automobile; Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America; Volvo Car Corporation