E-Scooter Design

E-Scooters are a popular new service that provide last mile transportation, and can potentially replace car trips and potentially make transit more palatable, but there are reports of safety concerns for riders and other users of rights of way in areas where e-scooters are already deployed. Very little formal research has been conducted on the safety of this form of transportation as well as the optimal design for e-scooters. Safety concerns may limit widespread adoption of e-scooters as a legitimate transportation option. This project will result in an updated scooter design that will induce safer riding behavior. A study conducted by the Austin Public Health Department (APH) and the CDC found that only one of 190 injured e-scooter users wore helmets while operating the scooter. Almost half of the injured users in this study sustained injury to their head, while over one third of users sustained a bone fracture. Based on interviews conducted with injured users, 50% believed surface conditions (i.e. pothole, crack, etc.) contributed to the injuries they sustained and 19% believe the scooter malfunctioned.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Active
  • Funding: $287,472
  • Contract Numbers:

    69A3551747115

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

    University Transportation Centers Program
    Department of Transportation
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Managing Organizations:

    Safety through Disruption University Transportation Center (Safe-D)

    Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
    Blacksburg, VA  United States  24060
  • Project Managers:

    Glenn, Eric

  • Performing Organizations:

    Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

    3500 Transportation Research Plaza
    Blacksburg, Virginia  United States  24061
  • Principal Investigators:

    Mollenhauer, Michael

  • Start Date: 20201001
  • Expected Completion Date: 20230131
  • Actual Completion Date: 0
  • USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01738821
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Safety through Disruption University Transportation Center (Safe-D)
  • Contract Numbers: 69A3551747115
  • Files: UTC, RIP
  • Created Date: May 4 2020 12:27PM