Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise/Enjoyment (PRIMEs)

Dedicated road markings designed as ‘Perceptual Counter-Measures’ (PCMs) have been shown to influence road user behaviour. These are typically road markings that dictate a desired behaviour by altering how a driver might perceive and process risk factors in the environment around them (Gardener, Tate, Mackie, Stedmon, and Southey-Jones, 2017; Mulvihill, Candappa, and Corben, 2008).

From the motorcyclist’s perspective, PCMs have been shown to influence rider behaviour in relation to speed, position, and braking to reinforce better rider behaviour (Hirsch, Moore, Stedmon, Mackie, and Scott, 2017; Hirsch, Scott, Mackie, Stedmon and Moore, 2018).

For a more detailed review of research findings for PCMs, please refer to Stedmon, McKenzie, Langham, McKechnie, Perry and Wilson (2021).

With the current research, a new approach was taken by developing a tool for motorcyclists through the design of ‘Perceptual Rider Information to Maximise Expertise and Enjoyment’ (PRIMEs).

The underlying philosophy of PRIMEs is to develop solutions that are cost effective to install and maintain. PRIMEs should be able to be installed on existing roads quickly and efficiently or incorporated into road upgrade schemes with minimal disruption.

PRIMEs provide a platform of innovative tools for motorcyclists with different riding styles. Motorcyclists should be able to adopt these tools and adapt their behaviour on approach to a potential hazard therefore optimising their expertise and enjoyment (and consequently their safety on the road).

Of particular importance to this research programme was the safe navigation of demanding bends. For this to occur, motorcyclists have to make sure that:

speed – is suitable for the conditions

road position – is optimised for entering and travelling around the bend

braking – is minimised whilst navigating around the bend

The PRIME road marking design investigated in Phase 2 comprised a series of three or five ‘gateway’ markings positioned on the approach to a bend. The intention was that the PRIME road marking would encourage motorcyclists to ride ‘through the gap’ and use the gateways as a cue to adjust their riding prior to the bend.

Depending on whether a motorcyclist was approaching a left-hand or right-hand bend the PRIME road markings were positioned to the right-hand or the left-hand side of their lane respectively. This would generally support a better road position on approach to the bend and a better view around the bend itself. This road positioning technique is common in advanced riding courses and the police rider’s handbook (Mares, Coyne and MacDonald, 2020).

With a series of PRIME gateway markings, there is potential for riders to adjust their braking point according to the motorcycle they were riding, their own riding style, or potentially due to weather conditions and other environmental factors (i.e. in poor weather they might brake one marker back from their usual point).

The PRIME road marking used in this research was designed to potentially influence speed, position, and braking on approach to a bend (Figure 1).

During Phase 1 of the trials the PRIME road marking and road sign designs underwent a range of design specification and user acceptance activities prior to being installed at the trial sites. In order to assess user acceptance of the PRIMEs concept and initial designs, 200 rider and 200 driver interviews were conducted (Stedmon, 2020a). Result from the motorcyclists indicated that 93% felt that the road marking was a good idea; 96% felt that PRIMEs were useful concept; and 90% felt they would use them in the future. Of the 200 car drivers, 91% felt that the road marking was a good idea; 95% felt that PRIMEs were useful concept; and 70% felt they would use them in the future.

From this work, an on-line survey was developed and conducted to confirm design specifications for the PRIME road marking (Stedmon, 2020b). The results from 200 participants indicated that 82% of participants preferred the ‘gateway’ design. A range of design factors such as colour, spacing, road surface grip, signage, direction arrows and number of markings were surveyed. The options of white road markings and three gateways were rated the highest and taken forward for the road trials of PRIMEs.

The final PRIME designs from Phase 1 of the trials (2020 to 2022) were utilised in Phase 2 (2023 to 2025).