Researchers from TRAFIKKLAB and the Road Traffic Division at Nord University recently presented their work at the Road Safety and Simulation Conference (RSS 2026) in Naples, Italy, one of the leading international conferences dedicated to road safety, human behaviour, and simulation research. The presentation was delivered as Paper 182, titled
“Seeing Through the Rider’s Eye: E-Scooter Risk Perception in Virtual Reality”.
The study, conducted by Danielle Teh, Abrar Hazoor, Giuseppe Marinelli, and Özlem Simsekoglu, explores how Virtual Reality (VR) can be used to investigate how electric scooter users perceive risk in urban traffic environments.
As e-scooters become an increasingly common part of urban mobility, understanding how riders perceive and evaluate risk is becoming more important for infrastructure design, policy development, and road safety. To address this challenge, the research team developed an innovative methodology based on 360-degree real-world video recordings viewed through an immersive VR headset.
The study included a series of realistic riding scenarios recorded in Trondheim and Stjørdal, covering typical urban situations such as interactions with pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicles, shared spaces, cycle lanes, and route obstructions. Participants experienced each scenario from the rider’s perspective and assessed the level of perceived risk while also explaining the reasons behind their evaluations.
Preliminary findings suggest that interactions with other road users, unexpected movements, route design, and positioning in the traffic environment are among the most influential factors affecting perceived risk. The results highlight the complex and multidimensional nature of risk perception in micromobility.
We would like to thank the RSS 2026 Organising Committee for an excellent conference, featuring a strong scientific programme and valuable opportunities for international discussion and collaboration.
The conference also provided a chance to experience the unique atmosphere of Naples, a city renowned for its history, culture, architecture, and hospitality. The combination of inspiring scientific exchange and a remarkable setting made RSS 2026 a memorable experience for our research team.
We return to Norway with new ideas, new contacts,
and renewed enthusiasm for future research activities at TRAFIKKLAB. 🚦🛴🎓