Does ABS ensure good performance in emergency braking for less skilled motorcyclists?

• Published in: Accident analysis and prevention 2023-09, Vol.190, p.107148-107148, Article 107148
• Main Authors: Huertas-Leyva, P., Savino, G., Baldanzini, N., Pierini, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic - prevention & control; Humans; Motorcycles; Protective Devices
• ISSN: 0001-4575; 1879-2057
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2023.107148

•Use of motorcycle ABS was analysed in emergency braking test with an opponent car.•Some experienced rider underused the full power capacity of the ABS.•Underusing ABS at 50 km/h can result in an increase in braking distance of 6 m.•New user-adapted safety systems such as Emergency Brake Assist can be supportive.•New training methods and reinforcement of the braking skills are recommended. This study aims to investigate whether motorcyclists are able to use the full potential of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in demanding braking situations that maintain the natural coupling of action and perception of emergency events, or whether instead the lack of braking skills in riders makes ABS almost ineffective and comparable to non-ABS brakes on dry pavement. Six experienced riders performed two experimental tests. First test included 12 emergency braking trials in a realistic scenario using a mock-up of an intersection conflict with a car initiating a left turn manoeuvre across the path (LTAP) of a motorcycle approaching from the opposite direction as an unpredicted moving hazard. Second test included three trials in a planned self-timed hard braking. The speed at the onset of braking was 35–45 km/h. The braking performance was measured from the initiation of brake pressure until the full stop of the vehicle. Front wheel ABS usage was determined by the pressure in the master cylinder and wheel callipers. The testing resulted in 85 data runs with full stop braking manoeuvres. Results revealed four categories of riders classified by their front wheel ABS usage during the emergency braking tests, which included two riders who underused front wheel ABS (9.6% and 27.4% of braking time on average). The worst case resulted in a significantly longer braking distance (braking deceleration of 5.2 m/s2). The highest skilled rider, who reached initial jerks close to 30 m/s3, used the ABS of the front wheel 93.7% of the braking time on average, resulting in a braking deceleration of 7.71 m/s2. Overall, the best braking performance was achieved in trials where the front ABS was activated for more than 80% of the braking. In planned self-timed hard braking test, where riders have more time to plan the braking manoeuvre, the experience rider with lowest performance during the emergency braking test improved braking efficiency and was able to increase ABS activation from 9.6% to 26.8% of the time, achieving a deceleration of 6.24 m/s2. ABS is demonstrated to reduce stopping dis