Consumer focussed product safety evaluation programs can complement safety standards regimes and provide comparative safety performance information that influences purchasing decisions as well as driving improvements in safety performance. A Consumer Rating and Assessment of Safety Helmets (CRASH) program was developed for the Australian motorcycle helmet market. The objective of this paper is to report on the assessment and rating program and results for 2011-12 helmets.

A protocol was developed to assess AS/NZS 1698 certified motorcycle helmets by crash protection and ergonomics. Dynamic crash protection tests included:​ 2.5 m and 0.8 m impact energy attenuation tests onto a flat anvil;​ 2.5 m impact energy attenuation test onto a kerb anvil;​ dynamic strength of the retention system;​ and dynamic stability. A rating system was developed using, for example, published head acceleration tolerance data with a maximum score given for the 2.5 m tests when the peak headform acceleration was ≤ 150g and none if> 250 g. Other dynamic tests were similarly rated. Usability tests included:​ inhelmet noise, drag forces and ventilation recorded in a wind tunnel on a KEMAR acoustic mannequin at 100 km/h;​ visor splash and fog resistance;​ and ease of use.

In 2011-12 61 helmets were assessed, the lowest aggregate crash protection score was 21% for an open face helmet and the highest was 74% for a full-face helmet. The lowest aggregate usability score was 32% and the highest 75%. There was no correlation between crash and usability scores, although a few helmets scored highly in both areas. There was a correlation between scores for high and low energy tests onto the flat anvil (r=0.799). There was a negative non-significant correlation between helmet mass and average peak acceleration (g) for all three tests, r=-0.546, r=- 0.414 and r=-0.204, high energy flat anvil, low energy flat anvil and high energy kerb anvil, respectively. The “A” weighted equivalent sound pressure level (Leq_A) was derived from wind tunnel tests. The minimum was 95 dB and the maximum 110 dB, with an average of 101 dB, demonstrating large differences in noise generation between helmets. For the eight 2011 CRASH helmets that had been assessed in the SHARP program, there was a modest correlation between the aggregate crash protection score and SHARP star rating (r=0.681).

The testing identified differences between helmets largely specific to each test, inferring that each test examined a unique performance aspect. Where possible scores were based on published human tolerance data, including noise, or derived from other standards. In some cases, tolerance data were extrapolated to suit the range of results obtained from the helmet tests, because reference data were not available. An oblique impact test is being considered for inclusion in the CRASH program.

The CRASH program provides motorcycle helmet performance and usability information that can assist motorcyclists in purchasing decisions. Further research and development is required to optimise the testing, scoring and rating system of the program, and the communication of results.