Influence of motorcycle crash bars on the injury biomechanics of a rider

Abstract

A major proportion of motorcycle rider casualties is caused due to crashes against barriers or other automobiles such as cars, trucks, etc. The injury and fatality rates are higher in Asian countries as they are used as a means of transport to a large extent. Due to this alarming trend, motorcycle crash safety is becoming a critical matter of study over the last two decades. Road safety systems such as steel guard rails, concrete barrier, and wire rope barriers are primarily used to protect the occupants of the trucks or cars, yet motorcycle crashes against such guards and barriers systems resulted in severe injuries. The primary goal of this study is to reduce the injury responses on the lower extremity body parts as leg is one of the most unprotected regions of the body that is vulnerable to injuries during collision with the ground, fixed objects or other vehicles. Preliminary model development procedure is carried out that involves the motorcycle, ATD, barrier and crash bar modeling on CATIA and MADYMO. Furthermore, validation of the multibody system models is performed by comparing the simulation results with full scale crash test results. Next, five different types of crash bar designs are incorporated on the main frame of the motorcycle, and parametric studies are carried out for upright and sliding impact configurations. The injury responses from the parametric studies are evaluated/compared with and without the implementation of crash bars, and the efficacy of each type of leg guard design is determined. The results from the various impact configuration scenarios, for the most part, indicate a significant reduction in the injury parameters on the rider for motorcycle modeled with crash bars. Therefore, crash guards offer a potential means of reducing the injury responses of a motorcycle rider. The findings from this study can help in the development of better motorcycle leg protection devices that would protect the rider during accidents.