Student Scientific Club in Research for Road Safety

Abstract

Aim: Presentation of the potential of the student scientific club for road safety in Poland. Discuss the extent to which the student scientific club in its research activities supports and implements the concepts of identifying road safety risks and submits proposals for improving its condition and related processes. Project and methods: In the research on the visibility of vulnerable traffic participants, a theoretical method – NUR threat analysis – was used to define the research problem.A research problem was formulated in the form of a question: to what extent and under what conditions does NUR visibility affect their safety? Visibility tests were conducted in real conditions after dusk. The following recording devices were used to study the movement parameters of modern means of transportation (bicycles and electric scooters): a Gopro camera, a Sony IV RX10 camera (which realizes 4D recording), a drone with a vision camera, and a Brake Tester retarder. Results: The study of the visibility of vulnerable traffic participants from the perspective of the driver presents parameters for the visibility of pedestrians and cyclists in conditions after dusk. Participants (students) in the visibility study were made aware of the issue of visibility, and therefore the safety of the traffic participant in the situation of illuminated vehicle (bicycle) and without lighting, as well as a pedestrian on the road without a reflective element. They formulated the conclusion that seeing does not mean being seen.The result of the single-track motion tests was that the Brake Tester Model LWS -2/MC retarder, after the performance test, does not provide a measurement of the single-track motion parameters. This is an important practical finding from the research, as vehicle inspection stations are equipped with this device. The acceleration and deceleration values of the bicycle and electric scooter were determined Conclusions: The research activities of the students of the scientific club in question not only make them aware of the risk factors of becoming a victim of an accident as a vulnerable traffic participant, but also allow them to deepen their knowledge, broaden their cognitive perspectives and supplement their skills through practical activities, for example, in the area of NUR visibility determinants or the characteristics of powered vehicles. The transfer of the results of the conducted research is carried out through the participation of students in seminars and scientific conferences, as well as in journalistic activities. Keywords: scientific club, vulnerable road user, education