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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.