Kinematic analysis of a motorcyclist impact on concrete barriers under different road conditions

Abstract

In many countries, motorcycle crashes constitutes a significant proportion of road crash injuries. Several roadside guard systems such as concrete barriers, wire road barriers and steel guard rails are used to protect cars or heavy trucks occupants, yet motorcycle riders are vulnerable to these barriers and guard systems, resulting in major injuries. The road and climatic conditions also have a major impact on motorcyclists' accidents. The safety measures can be successful only if more attention is devoted to this issue. The aim of this study is to understand the most influential factors causing motorcycle accidents. For this, a multi-body motorcycle model with a Hybrid III 50th percentile male dummy rider is developed under normal road condition in the MADYMO 6.3. The motorcycle model as well as the motorcycle and rider model has been validated using full scale crash test of a motorcycle with a rider available in a literature. Motorcycle kinematics, rider kinematics and the rider injury criteria are validated with the test results. The simulations results are found to be in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data. A parametric study is then conducted to investigate the nature of crash injuries for various impact speeds, different impact angles and for normal and icy road conditions to assess rider kinematics and potential injuries. The results from this study can help in designing road barriers and guard systems in order to protect the occupants of cars and motorcycles. The results from the parametric study indicate a significant difference on the motorcycle and rider kinematics when compared the icy road conditions to normal road conditions. It is also observed that the head injury risk is the major mode of injury in motorcycle accident.