Motorcycles Slide Tests Analysis

More information

Main author

Vangi, D.

Co-Authors

Begani, F.; Cialdai, C.; Virga, A.

Type of media

PDF

Publication type

Lecture

Publication year

2013

Publisher

22. EVU Conference, Florence

Citation

Vangi, D.: Motorcycles Slide Tests Analysis

EVU 2013 Florence Vangi2This paper presents analysis of the phase of the fall-over to side and the sliding of two-wheeled vehicles, which occurs typically in road accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles.
Knowing the coefficient of deceleration in the phase of sliding of two-wheeled vehicles allows calculating the kinetic energy dissipated and the speed of the vehicle just before the fall to the ground. This parameter is very important for the analysis and reconstruction of accidents.
The work presented in this paper has been developed in two experimental test sessions on vehicles of the fully faired, scooter type, widely used in urban areas. In the first session, sliding tests were carried out, with speed range 10 – 50 km/h, on three different types of road surface. The analysis of the evidence allowed identification of the dissipative main phases of motion of the vehicle (ground impact and rebounds, stabilised swiping) and the study of some factors that affect the phenomenon. The coefficient of average deceleration during the entire sliding on the ground of the vehicle was strongly related to the type of vehicle, faired or naked, and the type of road surface, while the mass of the vehicle and the speed of fall seem to have less influence. The second session of tests has been conducted with drag tests, in order to verify the possible use of an expeditious method for on-site evaluation of the coefficient of deceleration of the motor vehicle and road surface, even during the inspection of the road accident by the authorities. In these tests, the vehicle, previously laid on a side, was dragged for a few metres at a constant speed of about 20 km/h, while measuring the drag force. The comparison of the results obtained in these tests, with those obtained in the sliding tests has highlighted the limits of applicability of the expeditious method.