Gaze Behavior of E-Scooter Riders in an Urban Environment

Abstract

The increasing urbanization, which leads to an increase in traffic density, the new road user groups, such as e-scooter riders, the increasing number of accidents among the vulnerable road users, and the demands for environmentally friendly mobility point out the need to rethink the current transport infrastructure and the associated road safety concepts. This study is the result of a joint research project conducted by the University of Applied Sciences Berlin and the Inspectio Research Institute in Munich. The aim of this work has been to survey the gaze behavior of e-scooter riders and to generate initial insights into their perception. An analysis of the gaze behavior has been carried out for road sections and for junctions. The gaze behavior on protected bike lanes differs significantly from the one on bike lanes on the roadway, where e-scooter riders focused on areas to the right and left, so that they lose visual and concentration capacities. The analysis of the gaze behavior on junctions shows that the eyes are directed more toward the road and the area directly in front of the e-scooter (nearfield), which results in reduced attention to the actual traffic situation. Based on the results, recommendations have been derived for the planning of new construction or conversion of cycling facilities. From the perspective of road safety, protected cycle lanes are the optimal solution compared to other infrastructure solutions, as they require less widespread gaze behavior and e-scooter riders can concentrate on the actual traffic situation.