Groundbreaking safety alert system for motorcyclists put through paces

• Demonstration of groundbreaking new smart safety alert system for motorcyclists 

• Thursday, May 29, 11am-1pm AEST 

• TOYOTA Centre of Excellence – Autodrome, Altona North 

Researchers from La Trobe University are shaping the future of motorcycle safety by trialling a connected motorcycle system that delivers real-time alerts to riders about immediate road hazards, aiming to reduce crashes and save lives. 

The technology provides early warnings tailored to the motorcyclist's perspective, including alerts about slippery surfaces, traffic congestion, potential collisions with cars at risky intersections, and many other dangerous situations, giving riders time to respond safely.  

The system enhances riders’ awareness of hazards that may be difficult to detect with the human eye. It is designed to operate within the broader Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) ecosystem, which shares real-time safety messages between vehicles, roadside infrastructure, and traffic control systems.  

An industry-leading project known as the 'connected motorcycle pilot', La Trobe researchers integrated C-ITS in motorcycles and worked alongside the motorcycle industry and riders to develop technologies that can deliver the warnings. These include alerts sent to riders in smart helmets, augmented-reality glasses, haptic wristbands and LED Lights. 

For the first time globally, these prototypes were tested at scale with riders, evaluating the technical performance, the desirability by riders and the impact on their behaviour.  

The groundbreaking technology will be demonstrated by motorcyclists for project collaborators and 50 motorcycle riders at the TOYOTA Centre of Excellence – Autodrome in Altona North today. 

The project was initiated and funded by Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads, and the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, and facilitated and funded by the national centre for transport and mobility R&D iMOVE Australia as part of the federal government’s CRC Program. 

While motorcyclists make up just 0.7 per cent of total vehicle kilometres travelled in Australia, they represent about 20 per cent of all road crash deaths. In 2024, 278 motorcyclists died on Australian roads – a 10.3 per cent increase on the 252 deaths in 2023 and the deadliest year for motorcycle deaths since 1989.  

The researchers from the La Trobe Centre for Technology Infusion worked with close to 1,000 motorcyclists, international motorcycle consortiums including the world’s biggest motorcycle companies, and the Queensland and Victorian governments to gather data and develop the prototype early warning system. 

More than 90 riders have also tested the alert system in simulated conditions at the Autodrome, exposing them to six road hazard situations and sending warnings to help them prepare for, and avoid, the danger, in the world’s largest test of the C-ITS system for motorcycles. 

Project lead Erik van Vulpen, Deputy Director of the Centre for Technology Infusion, said while C-ITS was being used globally for cars, the technology had huge potential to make roads safer for motorcyclists. 

“This is the first time such an elaborate, collaborative effort has been made to understand how to make this technology work for motorcyclists,” he said. “We have collected valuable data about reaction distance and times, braking, vehicle speed, throttle position and brake light sensor, to help determine the system’s effectiveness and its usefulness to riders. 

Mr van Vulpen said awareness of motorcyclists among car drivers was a real problem as they often don’t notice motorcyclists in time and this cooperative system enables car drivers to be alerted of a motorcyclist’s presence even if they can’t see them. 

Ian Christensen, Managing Director of iMOVE Australia, said: “iMOVE is pleased to support this exciting use of technology aimed at making roads safer for this extremely vulnerable road user cohort. Connectivity presents an opportunity to significantly increase safety on our roads if implemented correctly. This detailed investigation takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating C-ITS tech for motorcycle safety, and will create an important evidence-base to progress the use of C-ITS for this important purpose in the future.” 

TAC CEO Tracey Slatter said motorcyclists remained over-represented in road trauma and advanced technology can play a bigger role keeping riders safe. 

“Motorcyclists are one of our most vulnerable road users as they lack the same protection as drivers and so consequences of having a crash can be far more severe,” Ms Slatter said. “The TAC invests in research to inform improvements in road safety to save lives.  This pilot is is a great example of the potential that technology can play in keeping riders safe.”

Harsh Trivedi from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads said motorcycle riders face a higher risk of being involved in a fatal crash compared to other road users.   

“This pilot unites government agencies, researchers, riders, and manufacturers to trial advanced Cooperative Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS) technologies aimed at enhancing road safety. This project investigates how C-ITS technologies can connect motorcycles to infrastructure and vehicles to provide real-time safety alerts. TMR is delighted to be part of this important initiative that strives to improve road safety,” Mr Trivedi said. 

Motorcyclists involved in the testing have endorsed the technology: 

“This technology has me excited for the future of biking. As motorcyclists, we understand the risks of putting on a helmet and taking to the roads and how this affects the ones we love the most. So any opportunity to have our risks of danger reduced are welcome. This project is very promising, with the technology having the ability to improve safety, minimise risk and not take away from all the sensations of riding that we love. It is crazy to think this isn't already on production motorcycles, when many cars today have similar proximity alert systems that can even override a drivers input as standard inclusions. I think the statistics speak for themselves, we are without a doubt the most vulnerable type of vehicle on the road and any efforts to reduce my chances of being one - is simply something I would not pass on!” 

• Daria Gyi 

 “I'd like to highly commend the system that I tested - I find it very useful for motorbike riders. Riding a bike requires 100 per cent attention and constant 360 scanning of your surroundings for changes in traffic, pedestrians, pets, wildlife and etc. And many times there are hazards that are still hidden and pose great risk for me (even with full motorbike gear with highest ratings from motocap.com.au). I find that the system gives me the most needed sixth sense when it comes to notifications in advance about hidden hazards. I really hope this system is going to be approved and further developed and fine-tuned and become available to motorbike riders. Learner and inexperienced riders will definitely benefit from having this advanced warning system to keep them safe on the road!” 

• Plamen Georgiev 

MEDIA OPP 

The technology will be demonstrated at the TOYOTA Centre of Excellence – Autodrome in Altona North.

Visual opportunities include motorcycle testing on the track, safety devices in action including smart helmet, haptic wristband, LED safety light display on the bikes.

Researchers and trial participants will be available to interview. 

Time: 11am – 1pm AEST 

Venue: Auditorium, Toyota Centre of Excellence, Grieve Parade, Altona North. 

Parking: Please go to Gate 4 (ignore the Employee Parking sign). Do not go to Gate 7 or Gate 3. 

Check-in: On arrival, head to Reception in the Toyota Centre of Excellence building and sign in. 

Induction: A safety induction must be completed by photographers and camera crew for Toyota to gain access to the testing track. 

Speeches and presentations will begin at 11am. A mini bus will take media to the test track for the on-track demonstration at 12pm. 

MEDIA ASSETS 

Images and video of the system and testing are available.