Citation

Grandel J, Schaper D. Proc. IRCOBI 1984; 12: 129-140.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Starting points for this study are accident statistics and in depth accident investigation. Motorcycle/car accidents are complex and difficult to analyze, thus more tests are necessary to get a deeper understanding of this type of impact. Statistics tell us what the most hazardous collision types are between motorcycles and passenger cars. Accident investigations and medical accident research show that many helmets used by motorcycle riders are not very efficient in head protection. The intention of this investigation is to describe and analyze two major type of accidents, intersection and head-on collision. During impact tests with instrumented dummies, different drivers positions, fuel tank shapes and handle bar types were investigated. In order to evaluate the energy absorption characteristics of helmets, high-speed films and acceleration data are used. HIC values are computed, trajectories of motorcycle riders are drawn, impact time-histories are compared and head impact locations addressed, in order to draw conclusions. Furthermore the protection capacity of helmets was studied in more detail in pendulum impacts with dummy heads. Results will give hints to improve the damping characteristics of helmets. (Author/TRRL)