Motorcycle Rider Model For Injury Prediction

Important results from the project

As intended, the SAFER HBM thorax has been validated for PTW to car loading. Validation gaps were identified and a novel PMHS component test series was initiated. The baseline 50th percentile male HBM was compared with PMHS kinematics in a PTW to car impact. The comparison used a new rider positioning tool and one of three PTW models created (and correlated to new crash data). The potential for safety products to mitigate injury risk in this scenario was also demonstrated by industrial partners.

Expected long term effects

The project results have been used in protection system concept development and research activities by the industrial partners of the project. The new data and models will be used in the future to analyse influences on rider injury risk; hopefully strengthening demonstrated potential for countermeasures, like the PTW mounted airbag. The knowledge and assessment tools have also been integrated into educational activities within Chalmers programs. For instance, in the “Impact Biomechanics” course.

Approach and implementation

The project involved four partners and was divided into six technical work packages. It fostered engagement on topics of interest across the team, with good collaboration. The objectives were met, though it took us longer than planned; after adjusting timescales to keep our young researchers leading tasks despite external ´life´ factors. Delays in the PMHS testing allowed greater interaction with project partners than was originally planned, a good thing for learning opportunities.