MOTORCYCLE COLLISIONS WITH PASSENGER CARS--ANALYSIS OF IMPACT MECHANISM, KINEMATICS, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF FULL FACE SAFETY HELMETS

Statistical data from field accident research evidently show high relevance for a motorcycle impact investigation. Retrospective accident research requires detailed information about motorcycle impact kinematics and rider's trajectories. This study documents results of impact tests with instrumented dummy on different motorcycles, simulating intersection and frontal collisions, the most hazardous collision types. Analysis is focussed on dummy kinematics, in regard to interaction with motorcycle (fuel tank, handle bar) and head impact on the car body. High head impact load was observed when structural car body parts were hit. Corresponding lab tests with different helmet sizes were conducted, which showed low efficiency of current production energy absorbing (EA) material. Helmet protection potential is too low, EA material too strong. Thickness-efficiency (TEFF), which is defined herein, is low. Alternative material with higher TEFF showed much better results.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Published in Field Accidents: Data Collection, Analysis, Methodologies, and Crash Injury Reconstructions P-159. International Congress and Exposition, Detroit, Michigan, February 25-March 1, 1985.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • SCHAPER, D
  • GRANDEL, J
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 81-88
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Society of Automotive Engineers, Incorporated
  • Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash investigation; Crash tests; Dummies; Helmets; Kinematics; Measures of effectiveness; Motorcycles; Trajectory; Vehicle trajectories
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Subject Areas: Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00452046
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE 850094, HS-039 226
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 31 1986 12:00AM