New road markings trialled across the West of Scotland have helped motorcyclists to approach left hand bends more safely.
The markings, called Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment (PRIMEs), are designed to provide a tool for motorcyclists, ‘priming’ them to adapt their riding before a bend.
Twenty-two trial sites were created on roads covering 750 square miles across the West of Scotland as part of a three year research study, believed to be the most in-depth investigation of motorcycle rider behaviour anywhere in the world to date.
The results showed that after Prime road markings were installed there was:
- A significant reduction in speed
- A significant improvement in road position both on the approach and apex of the bend
- A significant improvement in braking behaviour
“The evidence on the impact of Project PRIME is astounding,” said Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Government minister for transport.
“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.”
The Road Safety Trust provided research funding of more than £215,000 to Transport Scotland as the project managers to test the experimental approach which was led by Professor Alex Stedmon, a globally recognised expert in rider behaviour and psychology.
BEAR Scotland gave engineering solutions to deliver the test sites, markings and signage across Scotland.
The road safety charity said the work offered a blueprint with potentially global implications as a low cost intervention which “significantly improves road safety for riders when used in the right road conditions.”
