Understanding the Impact of Environmental and Rider Factors on Scooter Safety: A Virtual Reality Study

As scooters become increasingly prevalent in urban transportation, safety concerns associated with their use have become a matter of increasing importance. The present study aims to investigate how environmental factors and rider characteristics influence the safety of scooter riding through virtual reality (VR) technology. By simulating various hazardous scenarios and collecting rider response data, the study analyses the impact of these factors on riding behaviour, particularly in terms of speed, acceleration, and trajectory deviation. The findings indicate that environmental factors, such as road conditions and weather, significantly affect riding safety, with different patterns of influence observed in turning and straightline scenarios. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that rider characteristics, including experience and injury history, have a significant impact on riding responses and safety. These insights into the various impacts of environmental and rider factors on rider responses to hazard scenarios can be used by governments to refine relevant safety policies and provide more precise real-time warnings. Moreover, in view of the recent proposal by the South Korean police to introduce a scooter licence, this research offers valuable insights into the content and format of specific licensing examinations.