New road markings trialled in Scotland have had significant road safety benefits for motorcyclists taking left-hand bends, resulting in speed reductions, better braking and improved road position on the approach.
Since the start of the trials there have been no motorcycle injury collisions at any of the previously identified accident cluster sites where the markings have been deployed, Transport Scotland said.
The markings are called Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment (PRIMEs) and apply academic theories on human factors – commonly known as 'nudge' psychology – to prime riders to adapt their riding as they approach a bend.
PRIMEs consist of 'gateway' road markings and associated information signage - the lines direct the rider to a better position and give the impression of the road narrowing to encourage slower speed.
The research was undertaken over three years at 22 trial sites across the West of Scotland, in what is believed to be the most in-depth investigation of motorcycle rider behaviour anywhere in the world to date.
Video footage of over 32,000 motorcycles using the markings was manually assessed and the results showed:
• A significant reduction in speed.
• A significant improvement in road position both on the approach and apex of the bend.
• A significant improvement in braking behaviour.
Scottish transport minister Fiona Hyslop MSP said: 'The evidence on the impact of Project PRIME is astounding. This is a real triumph for road safety, demonstrating what happens when latest academic theory is supported by real-world application – all made possible thanks to Scottish engineering and a strong partnership approach.
'Motorcyclists are consistently overrepresented in road casualty statistics despite comprising a relatively low proportion of road users – and the issues around left-hand bends for riders are well known.
'What sets this approach apart is that it is grounded in theories of applied psychology and human factors. Those approaches were then proven successful under real-world conditions. That is a tremendous achievement – with much of it made possible by Professor Alex Stedmon and his team working with Transport Scotland officials to produce rigorous and peer-reviewed work.'
The Road Safety Trust provided over £215,000 to Transport Scotland to test the experimental markings.
Professor Alex Stedmon, a globally recognised expert in rider behaviour and psychology, led the research and produced peer-reviewed journal papers reporting the findings.
Professor Stedmon, said: 'Project PRIME is the first time this kind of research has been done to look at dedicated road markings for motorcyclists.
'It’s been a great opportunity to use applied psychology principles in the real world to support behaviour change for a specific group of vulnerable road users which underpins the Safe System approach to road safety and supports Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030.
'Between 2020 and 2022 I spent many weekends up in the Highlands collecting data and interviewing riders. Having analysed the data in depth it is great to see that PRIMEs influence rider behaviour in such positive ways.
'Throughout Project PRIME we have taken a user-centred approach to develop a safety solution that riders will accept and use. It’s very much for motorcyclists and by motorcyclists!'
The next step will be the production of a guidance pack for road authorities in Scotland on how they can implement PRIMEs locally.
Transport Scotland said it hopes this low-cost intervention will be of interest to roads authorities worldwide.
The Scottish Government aims to have 'the best road safety performance in the world by 2030' and zero harm by 2050.
Road Safety Trust chief executive Sonya Hurt said: 'PRIME addresses three of the five Safe System foundations – safe speeds, safe road use, and safe roads and roadsides. It is very pleasing to know that a road safety innovation piloted in Scotland, with funding provided by The Road Safety Trust, could play an important role in helping to keep riders safe – and reducing collisions and casualties - across the globe.'
