Similar to flight or car simulators, bicycling simulators are an ideal tool for low-risk research, training and communicating visions of the future.
An important element of bicycling simulators is the system for bicycling dynamics. This system uses models to simulate the bicycling behaviour of the bicycle and bicyclist. Precise models for bicycling dynamics are required to ensure that the perceived bicycling experience in the simulator is realistic and that the observed bicycling behaviour corresponds to reality.
However, a shortcoming of many existing bicycling simulators is the simulation of braking behaviour, which is often not realistic enough.
The aim of this work is to develop a model that takes into account all relevant input variables (e.g. brake operation, road surface) and parameters (e.g. brake characteristics, bicycle geometry). This model should be able to calculate the deceleration of the bicycle. As far as possible, sensory cues which allow the human to perceive the braking (e.g. sound, or virbration) should be calculated based on the deceleration, too.
To build the foundation of the work, a literature review will be carried out to establish the physical principles and investigate the braking behaviour of bicyclists and bicycles. If necessary, an expert survey will be supplemented to determine typical value ranges for the identified relevant parameters. On this basis, a dynamic braking model will be developed, which will first be described mathematically and then, if possible, converted into a functional software script. The aim is that this script can be integrated into the Chair of Bicycle Traffic’s bicycling simulator.
The results of the work will be documented technically and published as an open source solution on the project website as part of the OpenBikeSim project. In this way, the work can generate a broad practical benefit.

• Which functions, input variables and parameters does a dynamic model need to realistically simulate the braking behaviour of a bicycle and the bicyclist?

• What sensory cues do cyclists use to recognise when the bike is braking?

• Fundamental research