Analysis of E-scooter Risk Factors by Road Types on Different Speed Levels

Abstract

The safety of electric scooters (e-scooters) are issued frequently. Because of the structure of the e-scooter, it is highly affected by the road environment owing to its small wheels; therefore, most e-scooters fall down alone. Therefore, we aim to identify the factors that affect driving characteristics of e-scooter according to the road type. Additionally, risk factors by speed level were analyzed according to the social trend of lowering the maximum speed. In this study, the driving characteristics according to the road environment were derived for vehicle lanes and bicycle/pedestrian paths through actual vehicle driving, and risk factors were compared according to speed levels. Risk factors were set as road environmental factors that the participants judged to be dangerous while driving, and correlations between driving characteristics and risk factors were determined using multiple regression analysis. Driving instability increases with speed on all roads, and the risk factors for each road type are derived differently. We verified the necessity of lowering the maximum speed on all roads. Additionally, this study presents risk factors based on speed level for various road types and reflects the human factor of users along with the driving characteristics of e-scooters.