Strzeletz, R.
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Lecture
2008
17. EVU Conference, Nice
Strzeletz, R.: High-Speed Impacts of Passenger Cars on Stationary Dummy Cyclists. 17th EVU Conference, Nice 2008
English, 14 pages, 35 figures, 3 references
Since 2002, Unfallanalyse Berlin has conducted 22 experiments in which passenger cars have hit
stationary cyclist dummies at speeds in the range 40 – 100km/h. This paper presents the most
important findings in regard to the kinematics of the high-speed impact, including several diagrams
concerning the throw distances of the bicycle and the cyclist.
Based on these experiments, the impact speed in comparable real-world accidents can now be
narrowed with an accuracy of ±5 – 7.5km/h. When the cyclist is impacted from the rear, the impact
speed cannot be narrowed by the wrap distance. First paint flakes can be found up to 7m behind the
collision point, while glass fragments from the windscreen can lie close to 30m behind the point of
impact. It is remarkable that the cap and glasses worn by the cyclist can often be found quite near
to the point of impact. When impacting a child dummy, these objects are however found at larger
distance from the point of collision. The scuff mark from the bicycle wheel allows one to determine
the collision point, while the striation angle on the impacted bicycle’s wheel lets one conclude on the
impact angle. While doing so, the deformation of the wheel has to be brought into account.
Only members can see the details and the attached documents.