Rider-handlebar injury in two-wheel frontal collisions

Abstract

This work analyses blunt abdominal trauma produced by driver-handlebar collision, in low speed two-wheel accidents. A simplified dynamic model is introduced, whose parameters have been estimated on the basis of cadaver tests. This model allows calculating the peak impact force and the abdominal penetration depth; therefore the likelihood of occurrence of serious injuries can be estimated for different masses of contacting bodies and different speeds. Results have been checked against literature data and true-accident reports. Numerical simulations demonstrate that serious injuries (AIS>3) can occur even at low speeds (<20km/h), therefore the design of protective clothing is recommendable. The model can allow both the analysis of true accident data and the virtual testing of protective equipment in the conceptual design phase.

Keywords: Abdominal injury; Handlebar impact model; Road accidents; Two-wheel riders.