Evaluating Cyclist Stress Levels During Interactions with Other Vehicles in Urban Traffic

Abstract: Cycling is one of the most popular modes of transportation. Despite its popularity, cyclists are considered vulnerable road users who often face heightened stress when navigating through roads, intersections and interacting with other vehicles. Cycling in urban environments involves interacting with other road users, such as pedestrians and motor vehicles, which can cause stress and impact cyclists’ safety and comfort. This study aims to evaluate the stress level of bicyclists during such interactions with other vehicles in urban environments. Physiological measures such as heart rate (HR) and eye tracking are popular measures for evaluating the stress level of bicyclists. This study uses these measures to capture bicyclists' real-time stress response and visual pattern. By analyzing how the heart rate and eye behavior correlate with the stress response, we aim to understand how various factors contribute to stress comprehensively. This study involves collecting ECG and eye-tracking data from the 23 subjects on busy urban routes in Albuquerque, New Mexico—a medium-sized city in the U.S. involving typical intersections and heavy traffic zones. Each participant underwent a survey and was equipped with sensors to monitor heart rate (ECG), position (GPS), and gaze behavior. This sensor enabled us to capture our study's physiological and behavioral data. The study also collected performance and subjective data along with physiological data. Various statistical and visual analyses were conducted to establish a relationship between data and stress during interaction. The findings from the study aim to elucidate the challenges bicyclists face in urban environments and emphasize that planners should design safer cycling infrastructure to promote cycling. Various approaches, such as dedicated bike lanes, improving intersections from the cyclist perspective, and introducing calming measures, could help alleviate the stress level in cyclists. By easing cyclists' stress levels during their interactions with other vehicles, cities can promote healthier and more sustainable modes of transportation and encourage people to adopt cycling as a commuting mode.

Key Word: Cyclist, Eye Tracking, Heart Rate, Interaction, Stress