KEEPING THE THRILLS BUT CUTTING THE SPILLS

In 1981 there were 69000 accidents involving motorcycles with an estimated cost to the community of pounds sterling 274 M. The author outlines current research at TRRL on accident avoidance and rider protection. Brake disc and pad materials have been studied so that new machines now have brakes tested in wet and dry conditions. As skidding often occurs in personal injury accidents, anti-locking braking systems have been studied since 1964. Field trials of motorcycles fitted with two-wheeled electronic anti-lock systems, using a modulator developed from one used in cars, are under way. Work has shown that to reduce frontal impact, the kinetic energy of the driver has to be reduced. The TRRL developed chest pad gave excellent results, although recent work with inflatable airbags could prove to be a more acceptable solution. Most serious injuries are to the legs; a free-running motorcycle with dummy rig has been developed to study problems of leg protection. It is possible that a fairing could be designed to reduce injuries to both driver and pedestrians. Accident studies and investigations into better training methods are also being undertaken. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00396303
• Corporate Authors:

  Specialist and Professional Press

  Surrey House, 1 Throwley Way
  Sutton, Surrey SM1 4QQ,   England 
• Authors:
  • Watson, PMF
• Publication Date: 1984-4

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 14
• Serial:
  • SURVEYOR
  • Volume: 163
  • Issue Number: 4790
  • Publisher: Hemming Group, Limited
  • ISSN: 0039-6303

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Air bags; Anthropometry; Antilock brake systems; Antilock brake systems; Brakes; Costs; Crashes; Dummies; Education; Equipment; Injuries; Leg; Motorcycles; Motorcyclists; Pavements; Prevention; Protection; Safety; Safety equipment; Skidding; Surface course (Pavements); Tests; Traffic crashes; Wet weather
• Uncontrolled Terms: Accident avoidance; Accident costs; Protective equipment; Wet pavements
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 1661: Accident prevention; 5492: Aerodynamics; 1465: Air bag (restraint system); 1618: Anthropometric dummy; 1461: Anti locking device; 1361: Brake; 224: Cost; 2284: Education; 3674: Equipment; 2163: Injury; 2023: Leg (human); 1221: Motorcycle; 1752: Motorcyclist; 9149: Prevention; 6255: Test; 8119: United Kingdom; 3015: Wet road
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389529
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 30 1984 12:00AM