Airbag jacket for motorcyclists:​ evaluation of real effectiveness

Serre, T.; Masson, C.; Llari, M.; Canu, B.; Py, M.; Perrin, C.

This paper aims to evaluate the level of protection offered by airbag jackets for Powered Two Wheeler users. This study is based on a double approach which combines real accident data collected with a field survey and experimental data obtained in laboratory.

The accident study shows that the airbag is globally well perceived by their users who highlight their protective effects. But these cases have mainly fallen from the motorcycles at low speeds and less direct impacts against an obstacle. However, some specific cases show that a direct impact at 40km/h or falling at 60km/h with an airbag jackets cannot avoid serious injuries on the trunk (AIS3+).

Experimental tests consist on performing crash-tests with PMHS motorcyclists thrown at about 40km/h against passenger cars. Results show differences between the type of airbag jacket in terms of pressure and trigger time.

The airbag jackets seem to offer limited protection from a threshold speed which can be estimated to an impact around to 30-40km/h but these speeds differ with the impact configuration.

Keywords: Accident; airbag jacket; biomechanics; Motorcyclist safety; Powered Two Wheelers

Year

Entry

1981

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2016

Meredith L, Hurren C, Clarke E, Fitzharris M, Baldock M, de Rome L, Olivier J, Brown J. Abrasion resistance performance of clothing worn by Australian motorcyclists. In: Proceedings of the 2016 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 14-16, 2016; Malaga, Spain.505-506.

2005

Kuroe T, Namiki H, Iijima S. Exploratory study of an airbag concept for a large touring motorcycle: further research second report. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 6-9, 2005; Washington, DC.

2017

Piantini S, Mangini M, Baldanzini N, Pierini M, Franci A, Peris A. Prediction of motorcyclist serious injury in powered two‐wheeler to other vehicle urban crash. In: Proceedings of the 2017 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 13-15, 2017; Antwerp, Belgium.54-62.

1982