Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39802023›Full record

ArticleHeliyon2025

Enhancing road safety of PLEVs by novel vehicle concepts: A comprehensive investigation on regulations, accident statistics, and perception of riders in Europe.

Michelangelo-Santo Gulino, Susanna Papini, Giovanni Zonfrillo, Peter Miklis, Thomas Unger, Dario Vangi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Heliyon, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Michelangelo-Santo GulinoDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via di Santa Marta, 3, 50139, Firenze, Italy.
Susanna PapiniDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via di Santa Marta, 3, 50139, Firenze, Italy.
Giovanni ZonfrilloDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via di Santa Marta, 3, 50139, Firenze, Italy.
Peter MiklisVerkehrsunfallforschung an der TU Dresden Gmbh, Semperstraße 2a, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
Thomas UngerVerkehrsunfallforschung an der TU Dresden Gmbh, Semperstraße 2a, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
Dario VangiDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via di Santa Marta, 3, 50139, Firenze, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The rise of Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), including electric bicycles and electric kick scooters, represents a relevant trend in current urban mobility. PLEVs offer economic, social, and environmental advantages, making them increasingly attractive for short-distance travel. Despite their benefits, concerns about the safety of PLEVs, particularly related to road accidents, have arisen due to their growing presence in urban areas. This paper examines various aspects of PLEV safety, focusing on equipment required by regulations, circulation aspects, and users' needs; based on such highlights, the objective is to derive a vehicle concept (in the form of a kick scooter) that integrates elements for PLEV safety maximization starting from the design phase. A review of PLEV-related regulation in European countries, and particularly for electric kick scooters, is initially provided to determine the mandatory equipment for their circulation in the widest possible number of countries. Analysis of accident data for PLEVs in the EU then reveals critical factors contributing to the occurrence of crashes, injuries, and casualties, as well as the type and severity of riders' injuries. Surveys on user perceptions shed light on safety concerns of daily riders, indicating the most relevant aspects to enhance from the user's perspective. Based on these findings, the study proposes a novel electric kick scooter concept integrating safety features derived from regulations, accident analysis, and user needs. Safety equipment aimed at increasing riding stability (high diameter wheel, pneumatic tyres) appears as the most promising solution for maximizing PLEV safety. Inclusion of turning light indicators can also increase riding stability, since the user can exhibit his/her intention of turning while maintaining the contact with the handlebar; as of today, this latter feature is mandatory only in Italy among all EU countries. The work additionally emphasizes the need for harmonized regulations, enhanced safety standards, specifically designed infrastructure, and user awareness campaigns to improve PLEV safety. This research is functional for the proposal of a sustainable and safe transportation solution that can increase the consensus towards PLEVs and the consequent spread of electric microvehicles.

Identifiers

PMID39802023
PMCPMC11719293

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.