8b3693b0-efef-4dcd-99ea-da84547bcf4220211122075529927wseas:wseasmdt@crossref.orgMDT DepositWSEAS TRANSACTIONS ON POWER SYSTEMS2224-350X1790-506010.37394/232016http://wseas.org/wseas/cms.action?id=4057127202112720211610.37394/232016.2021.16https://wseas.org/wseas/cms.action?id=23286PanagiotisLemonakisDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly Pedion Areos, Volos, GREECEEleniMisokefalouDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly Pedion Areos, Volos, GREECENikolaosEliouDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly Pedion Areos, Volos, GREECEMyroforaKoroniDepartment of Civil Engineering, International University of Greece Thessaloniki, GREECEWhile car drivers consist the vast majority of road users, motorcycle drivers are considered among the most vulnerable ones with significant participation in accidents. The present study investigates the role of elements that permanently exist in the road environment and affect motorcyclist’s behavior since their usefulness requires visual contact between them and the rider during a certain period of time. Therefore, on such an occasion the riders do not monitor the road ahead which is considered as a fundamental driving task and hence the visual search and scan is not directed to the frontal view. The main objective of this paper is to identify and evaluate certain aspects of motorcyclists’ behavior influenced by exterior factors, such as observation of vertical signage or advertisement signs, by using naturalistic data. Motorcyclist’s visual behavior is evaluated via a continuous recording of his gaze, which acts as the main indicator regarding the rider’s performance, with the use of special equipment under naturalistic riding conditions. The selection of a naturalistic method permits continuous data recording, producing real-time data. Thus, the results are reliable and valid to the maximum possible extent. This research is based on a medium-scale experimental procedure that took place in three different road sections in Western Greece. A number of 11 motorcyclists participated in the study. The present research may be used as a tool to improve road infrastructure and to identify attitudes that pose a risk to rider’s safety aiming to the creation of a safer road environment, which will lead to less fatal and serious accidents.112220211122202128829629https://wseas.com/journals/ps/2021/a585115-661.pdf10.37394/232016.2021.16.29https://wseas.com/journals/ps/2021/a585115-661.pdf10.1007/978-3-030-61075-3_87Lemonakis. P., Koroni M., Misokefalou. E., Eliou. N. “Recording and evaluation of motorcyclists’ distraction of attention in urban areas”, 5th Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility – CSUM2020, 17-19 June 2020, Online Conference Lemonakis. P., Misokefalou. E., Koroni M., Eliou. N. “Recording and evaluating motorcyclists’ gaze behaviour in rural roads”, 13th International Motorcycle Conference, 1/9- 6/10/2020, Online Conference Misokefalou, E.: Investigation into and modeling of factors influencing drivers’ attention and impacts on road safety. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece (2014). Hedlund, J., Simpson, H. M. & Mayhew, D. R., 2006. International Conference on Distracted Driving – Summary of Proceedings and Recommendations. Toronto, International Conference on Distracted Driving. Ranney, T.A., Garrott, W.R. & Goodman, M.J.: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration driver distraction research: past, present and future. Paper presented at the 17th International Technical Conference on Enhanced Safety of Vehicles, Amsterdam (2001). 10.1201/9781420007497.ch13Horberry, T. & Edquist, J.: Distractions Outside The Vehicle. Στο: Driver Distraction: Theory, Effects and Mitigation (Chapter 13). Florida: CRC Press, pp. 215-228 (2008). 10.1016/j.tra.2019.01.012Oviedo-Trespalacios, O., Truelove, V., Watson, B. & Hilton, J. A.: The impact of road advertising on driver behavior and implications for road safety: A critical systematic review. Transportation Research Part A, 122, pp. 85-98 (2019). Herrstedt, L., Greibe, P. & Andersson, P.: Roadside Advertising Affects Driver Attention and Road Safety. 3rd International Conference on Driver Distraction and Inattention, September 4-6, 2013, Gothenburg, Sweden (2013). 10.1037/e729262011-001Klauer, S.G., Dingus, T.A., Neale, V.L., Sudweeks, J.D., Ramsey, D.J.: The impact of driver inattention on near-crash/crash risk: an analysis using the 100-car naturalistic driving study data. Report No. DOT HS 810 594, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C (2006). NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis.: An examination of driver distraction as recorded in NHTSA databases, Research note. Report No. DOT HS 811 216, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C. (2009). 10.1680/muen.2003.156.3.185Wallace, B.: Driver distraction by advertising: Genuine risk or urban myth? Municipal Engineer, 156, pp. 185–190 (2003). 10.1016/j.trf.2009.05.004Young, K., Mahfoud, J.M., Stanton, N. A., Salmon, P.M., Jenkins, D.P., Walker, G.H.: Conflicts of interest: The implications of roadside advertising for driver attention while driving: Skill and awareness during inspection of the scene. Transportation Research Part F 12, pp. 381–388 (2009). 10.3141/1899-10Smiley, A., Smahel, T., Eizenman, M. 2004. Impact of video advertising on driver fixation patterns. Transport Research Record, 1899, 76–83. Greek Police, http://www. astynomia.gr, last accessed 2020/3/26. Misokefalou, E., Eliou, Ν.: Comparative analysis of drivers’ distraction assessment methods. Paper presented at the 22nd ICTCT Workshop, Towards and Beyond the 2010 Road Safety Targets-Identifying the Stubborn Issues and their Solutions, Leeds, UK (2009).