The StAR project is investigating the well-being of cyclists, which is a key factor in deciding whether to use a bicycle or another mode of transport for a journey. It is not yet clear which exact factors cause stress when cycling, but studies suggest that in addition to personal factors, motorized traffic, other cyclists and conflict situations with pedestrians also have an influence. The aim of the project is to generate a comprehensive data set from measurements of real traffic situations, at a test intersection and in virtual scenarios in the laboratory. Biomarkers such as pulse, respiration or brain wave measurements are recorded together with the driving behavior of the test subjects and the traffic behavior of surrounding road users. Undistorted physiological measurements, i.e. largely unaffected by external stressors, will be carried out under laboratory conditions on a bicycle simulator. With the help of this comprehensive data set, stress factors are to be clearly identified and analyzed in connection with the traffic situation. The findings will be used to develop recommendations for decision-makers and planners that will facilitate the consideration of stress factors for cyclists in future projects and serve as a scientifically sound basis. As an additional result of the project, best-practice scenarios and planning recommendations will be developed that represent a low-stress or stress-reduced environment for cyclists. The project aims to identify, analyze and avoid reasons for increased stress in cycling in order to promote sustainable mobility and ultimately contribute to an emission reduction of the transport system by modal shift away from motorized private transport towards cycling.

Our research activities aim to motivate people who describe themselves as interested but apprehensive cyclists to switch to cycling permanently and thus promote active, sustainable mobility. For these people, both a safe transport infrastructure and low-risk traffic situations are important to encourage them to switch to bicycles for everyday journeys. A key aim of the project is therefore to define a safe environment for cyclists and to create these positive situations. To this end, it is first necessary to determine which different influencing factors are decisive for the subjective perception of stressful situations. The aims of the project are therefore as follows: (i) Collection of synchronized data: Creation of structured datasets to investigate the impact of traffic conditions and behavioral patterns on physiological measurements.; (ii) Identification of psychological stress factors: Analysis of the data to identify psychological stressors for cyclists, taking into account physiological measurements, infrastructure design, traffic dynamics, and the behavior of other road users; (iii) Impact on traffic behavior: Examination of how psychological stress influences cyclists' decision-making processes and riding behavior, particularly with regard to speed and braking behavior, as well as the effects on the local traffic situation; (iv) Development of best-practice scenarios and planning recommendations: Using the findings to create scenarios and planning recommendations that promote a low-stress environment for cyclists – taking into consideration safety and environmental aspects in multimodal traffic situations. This supports the creation of bike-friendly environments and encourages environmentally friendly mobility.

This is an ongoing project and no results have yet been published.