Scientists developed a sensor platform and smartphone app to warn cyclists of approaching vehicles. The sensor platform detects nearby vehicles and the app notifies cyclists through vibration and color alerts. Testing showed the sensors detected vehicles accurately 70-90% of the time. Most overtaking occurred within 1-1.5 meters of bicycles. Future work will focus on making the system more compact and usable at night or in different weather conditions.

1. An On-Board Platform of Sensors for
Enhancing Safety of Cyclists
José Fajardo, Margarida C. Coelho, José Santos
University of Aveiro
Transportation Technology Research Group – Centre for Mechanical Technology and
Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Scientists for Cycling Aveiro, 17th of November 2016

2. Overview
2
1 Introduction and objectives
2 Solution
3 Prototype
4 Results
5 Conclusions and Future work
6 Acknowledgements
An On-Board Platform of Sensors for Enhancing
Safety of Cyclists

3. Introduction
3
Increase the bike use
Concern with road safety
Road conflict between cyclists and drivers
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Safety of Cyclists
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4. Objectives
• To develop a sensor plataform to install in bicycles.
• To compute a smartphone app that warns the cyclist when a motor
vehicle approaches.
• To test the developed system and app in a real-road environment.
4
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Safety of Cyclists
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5. Solution
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Safety of Cyclists
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6. Solution
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Safety of Cyclists
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BiSUA-Safety Bicycle University of Aveiro
In order to warn cyclists, 2 functionalities
were developed for the smartphone:
1. Vibration when vehicle approaches –
2.Illustrative color bar (red, yellow, green)

7. Solution
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Safety of Cyclists
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8. Solution
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Safety of Cyclists
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9. App
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Safety of Cyclists
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10. App
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Safety of Cyclists
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11. App
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Safety of Cyclists
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12. Results
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Safety of Cyclists
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• Sensor performance ranged between 70-90 %

13. Results
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Safety of Cyclists
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• Sensor performance ranged between 70-90 %

14. Results
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Safety of Cyclists
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15. Results
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Safety of Cyclists
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16. Results
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Safety of Cyclists
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17. Results
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Safety of Cyclists
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18. Conclusions
• BiSUA works but still has some limitations.
• Most overtaking made by motor vehicles occur
between 1-1.5 m from the bicycle, with some
cases < 1 m.
• Motor vehicles’ speed is one of the key factors.
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Safety of Cyclists 18
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19. Future Work
• To be continued develop the BiSUA.
• Develop the system more compact for that
used any type the bicycle.
• Develop a system to be used also at night.
• Perform tests in rural roads and different
weather conditions.
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Safety of Cyclists 19
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20. Acknowledgements
• Company Órbita for the bicycle.
• Operational Program “Competitiveness Factors
- COMPETE” and by National funds through
the Foundation for Science and Technology
within the framework of the Project
PTDC/EMS-TRA/0383/2014 and the Strategic
Project UID-EMS- 00481-2013.
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Safety of Cyclists 20
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21. An On-Board Platform of Sensors for Enhancing
Safety of Cyclists 21
“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride”
John F. Kennedy
Thank you

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Safety of Cyclists 22
Thank you
An On-Board Platform of Sensors for Enhancing
Safety of Cyclists
José Fajardo
josefajardo@ua.pt