MADYMO reconstruction of a real-world collision between a vehicle and cyclist

Abstract

Numerical simulations of vulnerable road user impacts are becoming increasingly popular in the field of vehicle design for pedestrian and cyclist safety, as representations of humans are becoming more sophisticated using both the multi-body and finite-element (FE) approaches. Several previous studies have involved the reconstruction of pedestrian real-world accidents using multi-body models, but cyclists have been the subject of less research attention. In order to study the kinematics involved in cyclist accidents as well as the specific injuries and the points of contact on the vehicles, a real accident for which sufficient data was available was reconstructed using mathematical dynamic model (MADYMO) crash simulation software. Initial conditions were found that matched the relevant accident details from the police and post-mortem reports with regard to contact between the cyclist and vehicle, bicycle and street furniture and resulting injuries.

Keywords:

• cyclist injuries
• MADYMO
• VRU safety

Notes

1. However, the periorbital ecchymosis (bruised eye sockets) recorded in the post-mortem is acceptable evidence of basilar skull fracture according to Abbreviated Injury Scale 1990 (AIS 90).

2. Individual injury scale based on probability of death – ranges from 1 (minor injury) to 6 (unsurvivable injury). It has a highly non-linear relationship with probability of death and does not take account of multiple injury effects or subsequent complications.

3. Supermini is a Euro NCAP classification which covers models such as Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta and VW Polo.