Study of new urban transport mode and user behaviors – NEWMOB

The approach adopted in the project combines several methodologies to address the issue from different perspectives: accident analysis, dynamic vehicle capability analysis (track testing), psychosocial risk analysis (survey questionnaires), naturalistic behavioral study (vehicle instrumentation and video recording), simulated scenario study, and virtual reality study to assess the perception of EPMDs by other users.

The project is currently in its data collection phase. The expected results encompass knowledge regarding (1) the utilization of dynamic capabilities of these vehicles and driving behaviors (speeds, accelerations, driving styles, etc.), (2) the cognitive processes of these users and their safety management strategies, (3) the mapping (mobility zones, infrastructure) and characterization (nature, occurrence, factors, etc.) of risk situations for these users. Understanding new mobility situations goes beyond the behavior of EPMDs; it is necessary to consider the overall driving context by incorporating other road users through virtual environments. The expected results pertain to the cognitive processes and risk determinants of other road users, such as motorists and pedestrians. These results will lead to a model of behavior in these new situations, a model that is currently lacking but essential for designing infrastructure, regulations, training, etc., that are adapted and effective. The practical outcomes will focus on enhancing the safety of the target users and other road users while supporting the development of active mobility.

Newmob aims to support the safe development of active mobility. It aligns with the government's active mobility plan, which aims to triple the modal share of soft mobility, from 3% to 9% by 2024. Given the emergence of these new forms of mobility, the project has various impacts, particularly on the societal and economic fronts. The first impact concerns the reduction of accidents through a better understanding of behaviors associated with these new practices. Improving the safety of these new modes of transportation can also have a positive ecological impact since the project should enable better regulation of these practices, thereby promoting their use and reducing transportation-related pollution. Beyond these societal impacts, significant economic impacts can be anticipated for various sector stakeholders. The project can assist the industry, designers, manufacturers, and operators of Electric Personal Mobility Devices (EPMDs), as well as local authorities, in the development of these mobility forms. The increase in users will create a need for a shared service within communities and a unified platform to facilitate user travel, thus enhancing their experience.

On going

The NEW MOB project aims to provide scientific knowledge on the user behavior of new mobility means such as: scooters, « gyrowheels », bicycles and their electric and / or self-service counterparts. By combining disciplines in social sciences (psychology, ergonomics, sociology, etc.) and engineering sciences (mechanics, vehicle dynamics), NEW MOB project proposes to develop models of the driving behavior of these new users. The originality also comes from the notion of "mobility situation" which emphasizes how other users perceive and interact with the new mobility users. These interactions will be studied through virtual reality and simulation. This project is both scientifically ambitious and at the same time very applied and rooted in current issues, with a public / private user committee, demonstrating the utility of NEW MOB.