Sustainable Mobility: A Comparative Analysis of Vehicle Interactions Involving Cars, E-Scooters, and Bicycles at Urban Intersections

Urban micro-mobility, characterized by the growing popularity of bicycles and e-scooters, raises significant safety concerns for vulnerable road users. This study, conducted in Catania (Italy), investigates the dynamics of interactions between cars, e-scooters, and bicycles at an urban intersection using a risk analysis approach. Data collection was carried out using a high-resolution camera mounted on a building that continuously monitored the area for eight days during peak hours to capture traffic dynamics, and user behavior. The study shows different levels of risk for two types of interactions: crossing and following. The analysis indicates that while e-scooters appear to have a higher acceptable risk at intersections than bicycles, they actually face higher risks in low and medium risk categories, suggesting a moderate risk at intersections. Conversely, bicycles have an overall lower risk than e-scooters in subsequent interactions. These findings underline the importance of tailored infrastructure improvements and policy measures to increase road safety for all road users. The study also highlights the importance of its findings for local governments by providing insights for urban planning strategies and the implementation of road user education initiatives. Future research could focus on validating these results in different urban contexts and exploring innovative technological solutions to further increase road safety and promote sustainable urban transportation.