Enhancing Visibility in Bicycling Apparel Using Integrated Flashing LEDs

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to inform the development of visibility- enhanced bicycling safety clothing using flashing LEDs on bio-motion joints, and to evaluate the effects of this active visibility technology on bicyclist visibility under both daytime and night-time conditions. To evaluate the effectiveness of LED visibility aids, a survey and video evaluation of visibility was conducted online with 133 participants, who both drive a car and ride a bicycle. Video recordings of bicycle trials were made under four viewing conditions: with the flashing LEDs on during daytime and night-time, and with the flashing LEDs off during daytime and night-time. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Duncan Test, and the results show that the bicycling smart wear improved the perceived visibility of the bicyclist at night, and helped the bicyclist to be more recognizable and detectable under night-time conditions (p\0.001). With respect to observer perception regarding safety and accidents, wearing the developed bicycling smart wear during times of poor visibility increased perception that bicycling is safer (p\0.001). The results revealed the LED technology improved perceived visi- bility of the bicyclist, observer’s recognition and detection of the bicyclist