Human Modeling for Micromobility Safety

Conference poster, 2025

Micromobility vehicles such as e-scooters are rapidly becoming a common mode of urban transport, but their increased use has been accompanied by a rise in injuries, particularly to the head, face, and extremities of users classified as vulnerable road users. This project aims to develop advanced simulation tools to better understand micromobility injury mechanisms and support the design of effective countermeasures. The work focuses on (1) updating and validating open-source VIVA+ human body finite element models, with particular emphasis on the upper extremities and facial structures, to enable accurate prediction of fracture and joint responses in micromobility crashes, and (2) developing a semi-automated workflow for reconstructing real-world micromobility crash scenarios. The workflow integrates updated human body models with positioning tools to represent impact postures and velocities in micromobility crashes. Initial results include the development of an open-source HBM positioning workflow and ongoing model updates guided by a comprehensive review of e-scooter injury data. The outcomes will improve understanding of micromobility injury mechanisms, support inclusive safety assessment using both female and male models, and contribute to safer vehicle design and infrastructure, with all tools made openly available through the open-source platforms.