Effects of Vehicle Impact Velocity on Pedestrian Fatal Injury Risk

• The effect of the vehicle speed and vehicle front shape on pedestrian fatal injury risk was investigated. The THUMS pedestrian and four vehicle FE models with different front-ends (medium sedan, minicar, one-box vehicle and SUVs) was used. The pedestrian injury risk was analyzed at speed 20, 30, 40 and 50 km/h. The results demonstrate that the impact speed and vehicle front shape are two important factors influence of the pedestrian kinematics and injuries. A significant reduction of all injuries can be achieved if the impact speed is less than 30 km/h. Head was at high injury risk in medium sedan and SUV collisions. Chest injuries risk was particular high in one-box vehicle impacts. In the minicar collision, the injury risk was the smallest if head without contact to the A-pillar. The design tendency of short front-end and wide windscreen area can be achieved the protection of the pedestrian from fatalities.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Matematik -- Beräkningsmatematik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Mathematics -- Computational Mathematics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Biofysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Biophysics (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Farkostteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Vehicle Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

fatal injury risk

vehicle front shape

Finite element analysis

Vehicle to pedestrian collision

vehicle impact velocity

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)