Road information-sharing system for bicycle users using smartphones

Bicycles are highly valuable for commuting, exercising, and sightseeing from an environmental and economic stand point. A conventional study therefore proposed a hazard information-sharing system for bicycle users. However, these systems require a special probe bicycle. As a more convenient solution, this paper proposes a road information-sharing system using a smartphone attached to each bicycle. The adoption of smartphones is beneficial from a practical viewpoint. Each smartphone independently detects the road status and bicycle location, which are shared by the road-information sharing system. We propose a method of detecting dangerous (poor visibility) intersections and congested road conditions using a decision-tree classifier. Cross-validation analysis showed 82 percent accuracy. Also, a multi-agent simulation model proved that the server application scheme and wireless repeater node scheme are practical.