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HPRL Accident Research Studies
- Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and
Identification of Countermeasures in Thailand. HPRL is in the process of
completing a five year study of motorcycle accidents in Thailand, sponsored by
Honda for the public welfare. This special motorcycle accident research was
conducted in Thailand in cooperation with the faculty of the famous
Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok: Chulalongkorn operated the accident
research teams and HPRL provided the training and technical oversight on 1082
on-scene, in-depth investigations of motorcycle accidents. Most of the
accidents were acquired in metropolitan Bangkok and the rest were acquired in
five other Thai cities of different topology. The prototype of the OECD Common
International Methodology developed by HPRL was employed in training, accident
acquisition and data analysis for development of countermeasures. The final
reports of the research will be released soon, and publications of special
topics are in preparation.
- Motorcycle Accident In-Depth Study (MAIDS) is
the first multi-national application of the new OECD Common International
Methodology. HPRL staff provides case quality control and technical oversight
of the research activities of the teams in the Netherlands, France, Germany,
Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Case acquisition is completed and data
evaluation and assessment are underway, with final case reviews by HPRL. Such
a great variety of motorcycle accident data will be a research product without
precedent, and there are many great expectations of a major accomplishment in
such diverse circumstances. HPRL's work is sponsored y the International
Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) via the oversight of Dynamic
Research, Inc. (DRI).
- Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and
Identification of Countermeasures-Update in the USA. This is a pilot study for
on-scene, in-depth motorcycle accident investigation, in Torrance, California,
using the new OECD Common International Methodology, with the objective of
starting a data acquisition system to find out "What's New in Motorcycle
Accidents, Y2K." Since no on-scene, in-depth accident research has been done
in the USA in more than twenty years, HPRL has proposed starting a limited
scope study in a local jurisdiction which is convenient and efficient to
operate. Motorcycles have changed, motorcycle riders have changed, cars have
changed, roadways have changed, and it is sure that the causes and cures of
motorcycle accidents have changed in some ways! HPRL has proposed this pilot
study to be sponsored in part by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, to update
national data for training programs of MSF as well as national and state
accident prevention programs.
- Finite Element Analysis of Bicycle Helmet
Impact (FEA-PHMA): The technical staff of HPRL is developing a finite element
model of the typical bicycle helmet, incorporating the known mechanical
properties and response characteristics from extensive testing of a wide
variety of bicycle helmets at HPRL. The analysis will employ LS-DYNA
methodology. The present level of the project is directed to replicate the
observed test performance with standard metal headforms, using the standard
test anvil configurations and impact energies. An ultimate objective is to
incorporate one of the contemporary finite element models of the human head,
so that simulated impacts of a helmeted head can replicate the combined
response of the helmet and brain structures. This project has been supported
by contributions of the Protective Helmet Manufactureres Association (PHMA).
- The HPRL Motorcycle Accident Data System
(HPRL-MAIDS). HPRL has an enormous quantity of data on motorcycle accidents,
motorcycle helmet test results, motorcycle accident litigation cases
(sanitized), detailed head and neck special autopsy procedures from fatal
accidents, hundreds of detailed examinations of accident-involved helmets and
1082 accident cases from the Thailand study. A major project is to incorporate
all of these accident cases into the OECD data system and have such data
available for public inquiries as well as more general publications for the
public benefit. This project is underway with a parallel inquiry into the
possibility of developing a common methodology for computer based
reconstruction of motorcycle accidents. At present this work is done as a
public service of HPRL.
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PROTECTION RESEARCH LABORATORY