Clarification of behavior and biomechanics of cyclist in traffic accidents

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25420042
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Materials/Mechanics of materials
• Research Institution: National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory
• Principal Investigator: Matsui Yasuhiro 独立行政法人交通安全環境研究所, その他部局等, 主席研究員 (00426230)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 自転車乗員 / 頭部傷害 / 被害軽減ブレーキ / ヘルメット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The mechanism of accidents involving cyclists was clarified from the investigation of cyclist behavioral characteristics and near-miss situations between cars and bicycles, who would have a higher potential to meet a car-to-cyclist accident by low visibility due to obstructions. Then, the relationship between the car impact velocity and fatality risk of cyclists was defined from real-world accident data. It was evident that a 10 km/h reduction in impact velocity could mitigate the fatality risk of cyclists in cases with impact velocities of 40 km/h or more. When the impact velocity was 30 km/h or less, the fatality risks of cyclists were 1% or less. If active safety devices that use sensors for cyclist detection can operate appropriately and reduce the impact velocities, cyclist injuries will be greatly mitigated. Finally, the effect of wearing a helmet was assessed for protection of the cyclist’s head.

Free Research Field

衝撃生体工学