University of Twente Student Theses
Improvement of Motorcyclists' Safety: Designing a Motorcycle Observation Assist
Petrona, R.E.E. (2018) Improvement of Motorcyclists' Safety: Designing a Motorcycle Observation Assist.
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Abstract: | The goal of this research is to find a possible way to decrease the dangers of riding a motorcycle. Where other researches focus on the perspective of car drivers and other traffic, this research is conducted from the perspective of a motorcyclist, and tries to find ways for a motorcyclist to deal with other traffic. A literature research is done, combined with questionnaires, to signal the problem and find a direction to go and find a solution. The result of this study is that a problem is the visibility of a motorcyclist. Other studies already tried to solve this by researching the effect of fluorescent clothing and similar solutions. This research tries to find a way to decrease the dangers of riding a motorcycle, by enhancing a motorcyclist’s awareness of surrounding traffic. This becomes the research question: ‘How to enhance a motorcyclist’s awareness of surrounding traffic, in a non-disruptive way?’ This question is answered by designing a Motorcycle Observation Assist, a system that uses sensors and auditory feedback, to notify a motorcyclist about surrounding traffic that may cause a hazardous situation. This system is realized in the form of a functional hi-fi prototype, based on Arduino. The design process of this system is divided in three phases: Ideation, Specification and Realization. In the Ideation phase, five concepts are generated based on the requirements gathered from potential stakeholders. In the Specification phase, one of these concepts is specified and the requirements are updated accordingly. Lo-fi prototypes of the subsystems are created to check feasibility. Consequently, in the Realization phase the chosen concept is realized by creating a hi-fi prototype. The system is then tested for functionality and accuracy with an orientation test, a running test and a questionnaire by three motorcyclists. The results of the orientation test are 100% accurate, the running test shows that the system can function properly in a simulated ‘real life situation’, with an accuracy of almost 70%. In the questionnaire, the three motorcyclists gave the system an average approval rating of 3,7 out of a possible 5,0. This means that there is room for improvement, but the system is reviewed positively overall. |
Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
Faculty: | EEMCS: Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science |
Subject: | 55 traffic technology, transport technology |
Programme: | Creative Technology BSc (50447) |
Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/74734 |
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