Trunk impact conditions in real PTW accidents based on multibody numerical reconstructions.

OBJECTIVE

In Europe, Powered Two-Wheelers (PTW) riders are involved in 15% of all traffic fatalities and the most serious injuries are sustained on the trunk and the head. The aim of this work is to study motorcyclist impact conditions through the reconstruction of 8 real accidents leading to AIS3+ trunk injuries.

METHODS

Based on multi-body simulations, key parameters such as impact speed, body impact angles and impacted obstacles are deeply analyzed to determine their influence on injury severity.

RESULTS

Oblique and lateral impacts tend to increase the risk of rib fractures. Trunk impacts against vehicles show predominant normal speed components (25-40 km/h), while impacts with the ground have higher tangential speeds (40-50 km/h). Two main impact configurations for the trunk are proposed to reproduce impact conditions during PTW accidents causing AIS3+ trunk injuries.

CONCLUSION

This study allows a better understanding of trunk injury mechanisms in PTW accidents and can be used to improve protective device design.