New road markings trialled on Loch Lomondside have shown success in improving the riding behaviour of motorcyclists taking left hand bends.
The markings, called Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment (PRIMEs), are designed to help riders make better decisions when approaching bends.
Grounded in new academic theory on human factors and applied psychology, also known as ‘nudge psychology’, PRIMEs consist of new and innovative ‘gateway’ road markings and an associated information signage.
They are intended to provide a tool for motorcyclists, ‘priming’ them to adapt their riding on approach to a bend.
They were tested on six roads in Scotland – including the A82 at Inveruglas, where monitoring of over 1,170 motorbikes showed they were braking more safely.
Research was undertaken over three years in what is believed to be the most in-depth investigation of motorcycle rider behaviour anywhere in the world to date.
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Video footage of over 32,000 motorcycles using the markings was manually assessed and shows that after PRIME road markings are installed, project partners have seen:
- A significant reduction in speed.
- Improvement in road position both on the approach and apex of the bend.
- Improved braking behaviour.
Additionally, since the start of the trials there have been no motorcycle injury collisions at any of the previously identified accident cluster sites where PRIME markings have been deployed.
The approach was enabled by the Road Safety Trust, which provided research funding of over £215,000 to Transport Scotland as the project managers to test the experimental approach.
Professor Alex Stedmon, a globally recognised expert in rider behaviour and psychology, led the research and ensured academic rigour throughout – also producing peer-reviewed journal papers reporting the findings.
“Project PRIME is the first time this kind of research has been done to look at dedicated road markings for motorcyclists,” he said.
“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.
“As a keen motorcyclist myself, I know how important it is to approach demanding bends safely and PRIMEs help riders adjust their speed, position and braking.”
This work not only added to the evidence base of the academic theory underpinning the road markings – but offers a blueprint, which has been tested and proven in Scotland, that has potentially global implications as a low-cost measure which significantly improves road safety for riders when used in the right conditions.
The next step will be the production of a guidance pack for roads authorities in Scotland on how they can implement PRIMEs locally.
Scottish Government Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop 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.
“We wanted to pursue this trial because our strong belief is that one death on our roads is one too many.
“Motorcyclists are consistently over represented 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.
“The Road Safety Trust share our vision for road safety – and I’m grateful for their support and funding to help test the innovative approaches. BEAR Scotland also went above and beyond to overcome engineering barriers and make this study possible.
“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, in what we believe is the largest study of rider behaviour ever undertaken.
“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.
Six sites were identified for the trials that represented a range of bends on rural roads in the following areas: Taynuilt (A85), Inveruglas (A82), Runacraig (northbound and southbound, A84), Dunira (A85) and Bonawe (A85).
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