Advance Warning Before the Encounter

CyclistAhead™ is an early-stage roadway safety concept exploring whether drivers can be given useful awareness of a cyclist before a blind curve or limited sight-distance encounter occurs.

The project investigates a temporary roadside warning that would activate only when a cyclist is present, with the goal of influencing driver behavior prior to visual contact.

Traditional bicycle warning signs are static and continuously visible, which can lead to driver habituation. CyclistAhead™ examines whether a conditional warning — appearing only when a cyclist is actually present — could better capture driver attention at critical locations.

The Problem

Most bicycle warning signs are static, unlit, and easily overlooked.

On rural roads, curves and limited sight- distance segments can leave drivers with only a few seconds to perceive and react to a cyclist ahead.

The Concept Being Explored

CyclistAhead™ explores whether an advance- warning roadside signal could provide drivers additional reaction time before encountering a cyclist at a limited sight-distance location.

The objective is not to warn during the encounter, but to influence speed and lane positioning before the encounter zone.

• Intended to provide advance awareness prior to line-of-sight contact

• Would appear only when a cyclist is present

• Designed to operate without requiring rider interaction