Reducing all terrain vehicle injuries (ATVs) and deaths:​ a way ahead

Rechnitzer, George; Grzebieta, Raphael H.; McIntosh, Andrew S.; Simmons, Keith

Affiliations

¹Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research, University of NSW, Australia

Abstract

The use of ATVs both recreationally and in the workplace (particularly on farms in Australia), continue to be major contributors to fatal and serious injuries both in the USA and Australia.

This paper firstly presents the findings from the authors’ 2003 study into ATV safety and potential countermeasures [1], and secondly, some 10 years later, leads into the current major test program being undertaken for the WorkCover Authority of NSW on ATV (Quad Bikes and Side-by-Side Vehicles) stability, handling and crashworthiness at UNSW.

The 2003 study was carried out at the request of the Victorian WorkCover Authority and the State Coroner to provide a review of previous research relating to ATV fatalities and serious injuries and to examine the feasibility of fitting effective occupant protection systems, particularly regarding rollover.

While current prevention strategies continue to focus on lower order risk controls such as rider training, personal protective equipment (PPE), and administrative controls, the authors consider that the very successful passenger vehicle New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) type test and rating program could also be applied to improve ATV safety.

Links

URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv23/23ESV-000213.pdf

Cited Works (1)

Year	Entry
2009	Roberts A. Dynamic analysis of side-by-side utility and recreational vehicles. In: Proceedings of the 21st International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 15-18, 2009; Stuttgart, Germany.

Cited By (2)

Year	Entry
2015	Hicks D, Mongiardini M, Grzebieta R, Rechnitzer G, Simmons K. Analysis of quad-bike loss-of-control using experimental and simulated dynamic bump tests. In: Proceedings of the 24th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 8-11, 2015; Gothenburg, Sweden.
2015	Grzebieta R, Rechnitzer G, Simmons K, Hicks D, Patton D, Mongiardini M, McIntosh A, Sherry D, Dal Nevo R. The Australian Terrain Vehicle Assessment Program (ATVAP). In: Proceedings of the 24th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 8-11, 2015; Gothenburg, Sweden.