Salzburg Research has set another technological milestone in the objective recording of traffic situations involving cyclists with its new research bicycle, the Bikealyze NEXUS. Starting next week, the newly developed bicycle will undergo its first field tests in Vorarlberg. The aim is to collect data on the distances between bicycles and motor vehicles when overtaking, with the ultimate goal of improving the long-term safety of cyclists.

Since 2021, Salzburg Research has used specially designed research bicycles to realistically record and scientifically analyze interactions between cyclists and other road users in public traffic environments. The new Bikealyze NEXUS research bicycle is a technological advancement over previous models. It was developed by ALP.Lab and mounted on a Kalkhoff compact cargo bike.

The system architecture comprises a high-performance embedded computer, a high-precision GNSS system, two LiDAR sensors, three cameras, and a C-ITS on-board unit. These features enable the system to collect position, motion, and environmental data with exceptional precision in real-world traffic conditions.

LiDAR sensors are a vital part of the data collection process. They generate point clouds, which are three-dimensional representations of the surrounding environment. Based on this data, vehicles can be detected and their positions and dimensions determined, as well as relevant parameters such as distances and speeds. This allows the research bicycle to provide objective data on the safety of cyclists, particularly when analyzing overtaking maneuvers.

The new research bicycle is being used for the first time in the project “MZSFreiland – Study of Multi-Purpose Lanes with a Narrow Central Roadway on Rural Austrian Roads“, to systematically analyze overtaking manoeuvres and traffic situations on rural roads. The findings will inform the development of evidence-based measures to improve bicycle safety.