Motorcycle Deaths
North Dakota road
Traffic Parallax
So many times I hear of a motorcyclist died
Where does the term ‘parallax’ come from?
The process of parallax was first used in 189 BC by Greek astronomer Hipparchus.
‘Parallax’ has three previous uses that I know of:
1) In measuring the distance between heavenly bodies: “Parallax is the apparent displacement of an object because of a change in the observer's point of view. The video below describes how this effect can be observed in an everyday situation, as well as how it is seen and used for finding distances to stars."
While I have never been in a wreck because of this, there have been too many close calls
Flat, straight roads create parallax, while hills and curves better reveal true vehicle speeds.
See this photo of a North Dakota Hiway? This road makes it tough to spot a speeding vehicle.
Hilly, curvy roads help us better estimate the speed of motorcycles than flat, straight roads.
I write this partly to protect bikers, but I also write this for car-motorists who are being blamed for the death of speeding bikers in traffic parallax.
Perhaps motorcycles should have gadgets that record their speed upon impact.
Should it be a big deal for a motorcyclist (including our sons) to drive the speed limit,
so stopped drivers can accurately estimate their oncoming speed?
Traffic Parallax, something to consider.
‘because someone didn’t see them and pulled out in front of them.’
I’m going to question this explanation in certain cases.
I have a son who loves motorcycles. So, I am not against motorcycles or those that ride them,
but there may be another explanation for these tragic accidents.
I want to discuss a phenomenon I have experienced, but doesn't have an exact label.
I’m going to question this explanation in certain cases.
I have a son who loves motorcycles. So, I am not against motorcycles or those that ride them,
but there may be another explanation for these tragic accidents.
I want to discuss a phenomenon I have experienced, but doesn't have an exact label.
But it will take me a little bit to get there, so bear with me.
Page 15 of Iowa’s Motorcycle Operator’s Manual https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/motorcycle/mcmanual.pdf
talks about ‘Increasing conspicuity’ of motorcycles, and this is what I want to talk about.
'Traffic Parallax' is the term I want to offer.
Page 15 of Iowa’s Motorcycle Operator’s Manual https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/motorcycle/mcmanual.pdf
talks about ‘Increasing conspicuity’ of motorcycles, and this is what I want to talk about.
'Traffic Parallax' is the term I want to offer.
It is about properly assessing the speed of an oncoming motorcycle.
Where does the term ‘parallax’ come from?
The process of parallax was first used in 189 BC by Greek astronomer Hipparchus.
‘Parallax’ has three previous uses that I know of:
1) In measuring the distance between heavenly bodies: “Parallax is the apparent displacement of an object because of a change in the observer's point of view. The video below describes how this effect can be observed in an everyday situation, as well as how it is seen and used for finding distances to stars."
https://lco.global/spacebook/distance/parallax-and-distance-measurement/
2) Analog Parallax: "The distortion that occurs when reading an analog instrument from an angle different than dead-center." Analog measuring instruments are prone to parallax. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC7m3aJXzBg
3) The third kind is ‘graphics parallax’. This is when graphics in computer displays are manipulated to give 2-D images a 3-D effect. This is done by making the objects on the screen move at different speeds from each other.
2) Analog Parallax: "The distortion that occurs when reading an analog instrument from an angle different than dead-center." Analog measuring instruments are prone to parallax. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC7m3aJXzBg
3) The third kind is ‘graphics parallax’. This is when graphics in computer displays are manipulated to give 2-D images a 3-D effect. This is done by making the objects on the screen move at different speeds from each other.
Parallax scrolling - Wikipedia
Now, for ‘Traffic Parallax’.
Many times, I have stopped at a stop sign, viewed oncoming traffic, and had no sensory reason to believe the approaching vehicle was speeding,
so I pulled out, believing there was time to safely pull into traffic.
Now, for ‘Traffic Parallax’.
Many times, I have stopped at a stop sign, viewed oncoming traffic, and had no sensory reason to believe the approaching vehicle was speeding,
so I pulled out, believing there was time to safely pull into traffic.
But if an oncoming vehicle was speeding, the problem became immediately clear.
Especially when the other vehicle is a motorcycle, because of its size.
While I have never been in a wreck because of this, there have been too many close calls
in my 50+ years of driving. So, the slower-moving person pulling out in front of a speeding vehicle, who calculates the on-coming vehicle is not speeding, when it actually is -
is what I call ‘traffic parallax’.
Flat, straight roads create parallax, while hills and curves better reveal true vehicle speeds.
See this photo of a North Dakota Hiway? This road makes it tough to spot a speeding vehicle.
Hilly, curvy roads help us better estimate the speed of motorcycles than flat, straight roads.
I write this partly to protect bikers, but I also write this for car-motorists who are being blamed for the death of speeding bikers in traffic parallax.
Perhaps motorcycles should have gadgets that record their speed upon impact.
Should it be a big deal for a motorcyclist (including our sons) to drive the speed limit,
so stopped drivers can accurately estimate their oncoming speed?
Traffic Parallax, something to consider.
eric j. rose
