The assumption is that if a vulnerable road user is within a driver’s line of sight, they can be seen. But this does not take into account distance, speed, or other contextual features that might compete for the driver’s attention. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that discussed what is known and undetermined about the conditions that might interfere with vulnerable-road-user conspicuity for a safe system to work. Presenters highlighted state-of-the-art pedestrian and bicycle simulator technologies including virtual reality, multi-projection, and simultaneous simulation. Presenters also explored other data sources that can be used to measure conspicuity.

This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committees on Human Factors of Infrastructure Design and Operations, Pedestrians, and Visualization in Transportation.

The slides are linked in the meeting materials. View the recorded webinar below.

Webinar agenda and presenters

1. Surprises in pedestrian conspicuity research from the SHRP2 NDS and potential data sources for further testing – Patricia Tice, ProFound Insights, Inc.

2. Pedestrian simulators in traffic safety research – Chris Schwarz, University of Iowa

3. Bicycling simulator research and bicyclist conspicuity – David Hurwitz, Oregon State University

4. Question and answer session moderated by Barb Chamberlain, Washington Department of Transportation

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants can:

1. Understand the available research regarding the limitations of vulnerable-user conspicuity in day and night settings

2. Identify the possibilities and challenges in incorporating a pedestrian or bicycle into a simulator environment

3. Recognize the potential and limitations for new data sources to contribute to pedestrian conspicuity research

Professional Development Hours

This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.

Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.

American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits

This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credits. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.