Motorcycle Accident Reconstruction

Cover
Table of Contents
About the Author
Preface to the Second Edition
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction to Accident Reconstruction
	The Approach Used in Accident Reconstruction
		The Context of Reconstruction
		Investigation and Analysis
		Analysis by Phases
		Theoretical and Empirical Modeling
		Uncertainty Analysis
		Incorporating Witness Statements and Testimony
		Causation
		Analyzing Avoidance Scenarios
	Physical Principles Used in Accident Reconstruction
		Conservation of Energy
		Newton’s Second Law and the Principle of Work and Energy
		Principle of Impulse and Momentum (Conservation of Momentum)
	References
2 Motorcycle Characteristics
	Motorcycle Types
	Motorcycle Dimensions and Inertial Properties
	Motorcycle Controls
	Motorcycle Tires
		Motorcycle Tire Markings
	Motorcycle Tire Friction Coefficients
	References
3 Braking and Acceleration
	Braking Dynamics
		Braking Dynamics Example
	Motorcyclist Braking and Deceleration Capabilities
		Motorcycles with Integrated, Linked, and Antilock Braking Systems
		Speed and Avoidance Calculations
	Engine Braking
	Motorcycle Acceleration Capabilities
	Determining Speed Based on Gear
		Case Study: Determining Speed Based on Gear
	Motorcycle Autonomous Emergency Braking (MAEB)
	References
4 Cornering, Swerving, and Changing Lanes
	Analysis of a Motorcycle Traversing a Curve
		Incorporating Roadway Superelevation
		Example: Lean Angle Calculation
		Assumptions
		Case Study: Application of the Lean Angle Equations at the Apex of a Curve
		Case Study: Application of the Lean Angle Equations in the Time Domain
		Friction-Limited Speed
		Geometric Limit on Speed
		Willingness to Lean
	Lane Change, Swerve, and Turn-Away
		Example: Turn-Away and Swerve Calculation
	References
5 Physical Evidence from Motorcycle Crashes
	Scene Evidence
		Skid Marks
		Gouges, Scrapes, Scuffs, and Tire Marks
		Site Inspection Checklist
	Evidence on the Motorcycle
		Motorcycle Inspection Checklist
	Damage to the Struck Vehicle
	Evidence Documentation Methods
		Mapping with LIDAR
		Photogrammetry
			Camera Reverse Projection
		Removing Lens Distortion
		Case Study: Photogrammetric Analysis of Video of a Motorcycle Accident
		Case Study: Photogrammetric Analysis of Video of Another Motorcycle Accident
		Image-Based Scanning
		Mapping with Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
	References
6 Sliding and Tumbling of the Motorcycle and Rider
	Decelerations for a Sliding or Tumbling Motorcycle
	Decelerations for a Sliding or Tumbling Rider
	Determining the Initial Speed for a Sliding Motorcycle or Rider
		How to Calculate Speed Loss for a Sliding Motorcycle
	References
7 Motorcycle Falls
	Low-Side Falls
		Case Study: A Low-Side Fall
	High-Side Falls
		Case Study: A High-Side Fall
		Case Study: A High-Side Fall
	Falls Because of Front-Wheel Over-Braking and Lock-Up
	Impact-Induced Capsize
	Motorcycle Interactions with Potholes, Roadway Deterioration, and Debris
		A Motorcycle Encountering a Longitudinal Pavement Edge
		A Motorcycle Encountering a Pothole
	Analyzing the Motion of Projected Riders
	References
8 Motorcycle Collisions with Vehicles and Roadside Barriers
	Analysis Based on Motorcycle Wheelbase Reduction
	Determining Motorcycle Speed from the Struck Vehicle Postimpact Translation and Rotation
		Planar Impact Mechanics
		Relating the Rotational Displacement to the Angular Velocity
		Ogden and Kloberdanz Equation
	WREX 2016 Crash Tests
		Case Study: WREX 2016, Test #3
			Methods 1 to 4
			Method 5
			Method 6
		Case Study: WREX 2016, Test #5
			Method 1
			Method 2
			Method 3
			Method 4
			Method 5
			Method 6
		Case Study: WREX 2016, Test #8
			Method 1
			Method 2
			Method 3
			Method 4
			Method 5
			Method 6
		Case Study: WREX 2016, Test #11
			Method 1
			Method 2
			Method 3
			Method 4
			Method 5
			Method 6
		Case Study: WREX 2016, Test #22
			Method 1
			Method 2
			Method 3
			Method 4
			Method 5
			Method 6
		Case Study: WREX 2016, Test #23
			Method 1
			Method 2
			Method 3
			Method 4
			Method 5
			Method 6
		Case Study: WREX 2016, Test #24
			Method 1
			Method 2
			Method 3
			Method 4
			Method 5
			Method 6
		Discussion of WREX 2016 Tests
	How Much of the Rider’s Weight Should be Included?
	Impacts into Moving Vehicles
	Motorcycle Collisions with Roadside Barriers
		Motorcycle-to-Roadside Barrier Crash Tests
			Steel Guardrail: Upright
			Concrete Barrier: Upright
			Modified Steel Guardrail: Upright
			Steel Guardrail: Capsized
			Concrete Barrier: Capsized
			Modified Steel Guardrail: Capsized
	References
9 Event Data Recorders and Speedometers in Motorcycle Accidents
	Event Data from the Struck or Striking Vehicle
		Precrash Data
		Crash Data (ΔV)
			Potential Error Sources
			Potential Magnitude of the Error—Longitudinal ΔV
			Potential Magnitude of the Error—Lateral ΔV
	Accounting for Tire Forces When Incorporating EDR Data
		WREX 2016 Test #3
		WREX 2016 Test #5
	Case Study #1: Utilizing EDR Data from the Passenger Vehicle
	Case Study #2: Utilizing EDR Data from the Passenger Vehicle
	Event Data from the Motorcycle
	Video as a Source of Data from the Motorcycle
	A Residual Speedometer Reading as a Source of Data from the Motorcycle
		Case Study: Speedometer Testing on a 2019 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic
	References
10 Human Factors in Motorcycle Crashes
	Physical Factors Affecting the Visibility of Motorcycles
	Why do Drivers Sometimes Fail to “See” Motorcyclists?
	The Size-Arrival Effect
	Effectiveness of Daytime Running Lights on Motorcycles
	The Perception-Response Process
	Motorcyclists’ Responses to a Laterally Incurring Vehicle
		A Numerical Example of the Left Turn Across Path Scenario
		A More Nuanced Example
		Evidence of Ambiguity in Path Intrusion Scenarios
	Characteristics of Passenger Car Left Turns and Intersection Crossings
	Are Training and Licensing Effective?
	References
11 Visualization of Motorcycle Crashes
	View from the Motorcyclist’s Perspective
		Mounting Equipment on the Motorcycle
		Mounting Equipment on the Operator
		Mounting Equipment on Another Vehicle
	View of the Motorcycle from Other Vehicles
	Camera Setup and Representing a Driver’s View
		Camera Height
		Field of View
		Scaling the Images for Playback
	Computer Visualization of a Motorcycle Crash
		Case Study: CG Visualization of a Truck Versus Motorcycle Crash
	References
Index