Equal Safety for the Whole Population of Powered Two-Wheeler Riders

Research Project, 2025 – 2027

Powered two- and three-wheelers (PTWs), such as motorcycles and scooters, represent acompact mode of transportation whose global numbers nearly tripled between 2011 and2020. This was, however, accompanied by a 30% increase in fatalities, in contrast to ageneral reduction in car occupant fatality risk. Studies have shown that females andobese riders are of higher risk compared to males and normal BMI riders. Other studieshave shown that PTW type/size and the impacted object/vehicle influence the crashkinematics and injury outcome. Severe thorax and head injuries in PTW to side of vehiclecrashes are of particular concern. While helmets are widely used, no protection of similarefficiency exists for the thorax; and whilst anti-lock braking systems are prevalent in thefleet, we seek protective countermeasures before advanced emergency braking or steeringbecome normal as preventative measures.
The goal of the proposed project is to develop efficient tools and methods to enableanalysis of PTW riders’ injury risk, and protective countermeasure effectiveness, underthe influence of variability in rider size/sex, rider posture, and PTW/impacted vehicle sizesand types. This is in line with the programme's goal to contribute to making the societiestransport safe and equal (in particular for both sexes), while also allowing for anenvironmentally friendly mode of transport.