Nordic Road 6th October Motorcyclists are vulnerable road users Maria Nordqvist
The Swedish Motorcyclists Association - SMC Founded 1963 70 000 invididual members, 400 clubs and 21 districts 30 % of the Swedish MC owners are members Offer loads of activities for riders all over Sweden Most important to our members is our political work including safety Safer roads and barriers are top priorities for our members!
The Motorcycle Vision 2.0 Motorcycle safety is a shared responsibility The riders Other road users Vision Zero Road and road sides The motor cycle Roads, streets and vehicles should be adapted to human needs. An accident should not lead to serious injuries. Vision Zero
Median and side barriers kill riders(shows 2005-2013) Barriers are the most common road side object in fatal single motorcycle accidents in Sweden
The risk of fatalitywithbarrierper 1000 vehicles higher risk for riders compared to motorists Source: The in-depth studies of fatal accidents, the Swedish Transport Administration and vehicle fleet SCB June 30 each year.
The risk of fatalityper 1000 kilometer-higherrisk for riders compared to motorists Source: Swedish Transport Administration in-depth studies of fatal accidents and annual mileage according to Trafikanalys. Mileage for a car estimated for 2014. Mileage MC estimated for 2013-2014.
Fatal risk according to Hampton C Gabler
E4 - the road with most fatal barrier accidents. Loss of friction is a contributing factor!
Loss of friction-increase the risk on smaller roads Most common reason for loss of friction is gravel; from road repair, from attaching roads and from unpaved road shoulders Most accidents occur in bends where you find most of the gravel!
Where do the fatal single motorcycle accidents occur? Source: The indepth studies of fatal motorcycle accidents 2005-2013, The Swedish Transport Administration
A definition of a safebarrierfor motorcyclistsis a barrier where you cannot be thrown over in a collision a barrier without protruding parts where the body and/or the motorcycle can get caught a barrier without openings, vertical or horizontal, where parts of the body and/or the motorcycle can become trapped a barrier with a smooth upper surface a barrier without unprotected posts in both the ground level as the top side a barrier with energy-absorbing MPS a barrier that is not fitted with attachmentswhich involve a higher risk of injury and a barrier which is located at a distance allowing a recovery space
An attempt to grade motorcycle friendly barriers From -1 to 5 Non-desirablefeatures arefollwedby ** injury reducing design features
Classification of barriers, -1 - Protruding parts on the barrier side and top, accessible posts cc <4 m, sharp edges, large openings in horizontal and vertical direction, unevenside and top, overrun possible (Cable barriers with protruding hooks)
Classification of barriers, 0 Accessible posts cc <4 m, sharp edges, large openings in horizontal and vertical directions, uneven top, overrun possible ** smooth barrier profile (W-beam and Kohlswa)
Classification of barriers, 1 Accessible posts cc <4 m, sharp edges, large openings in horizontal and vertical directions, overrun possible ** smooth barrier profile with smooth / covered upper side, dividing box beam guard rail ( roofed W- beam) with smooth steel profile both side and top
Classification of barriers, 2 Uneven top side, overrun possible ** smooth barrier profile, MPS function is, however, non-energy absorbing (Concrete barriers)
Classification of barriers, 3 Uneven top, overrun possible, ** smooth barrier profile, energy-absorbing MPS (W-beam with MPS according to 1317-8)
Classification of barriers, 4 overrun possible ** smooth barrier profile, energy absorbing MPS smooth top (Euskirchen Plus)
Classification of barriers, 5 ** Smooth side with energy-absorbing MPS, smooth top, overrun protection fitted (NA)?
Safer road sides from a motorcyclists perspective (VTI, SMC, Trafikverket, SveviaJune 2013) review of national and detailed accident data investigation of motorcycle rider and vehicle response characteristics in controlled tests Further development of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) models to include motorcycle factors
Conclusions Safer road sides from a motorcyclists perspective Highest risk of accidents in bends(especially left) Accidentsarecausedby speed, narrowroad sides, loss of friction(gravel) Riders need more space in bends for acceleration Motorcyclists need 0,6-1 meter in avoidance manouvres Pavedrecoveryarea of at least1 meter is recommended especially in bends Paved recovery areas are cost efficient
Lifecost cycle analysis(lcc) Cost for one fatal accident: SEK 23,74 million Cost for one seriously injured: SEK 4 414 million Cost for a slightly injured: SEK 217 000 Cost of road furniture: SEK 15 000 The costfor a onemeter widepavedshoulderin a bend(radius200 m for 45 )= SEK 63 000
Thereis a differencein the guidelinesfor installation of barriers in Sweden and other countries Swedenallows median/ side barriers at 35 /5 cm USA: median strip 12-21 meters. Choice of barrier depends on the size of the strip Sweden USA
Recommendations based on both studies Adress the problem of barriers and motorcycles Start a national program with a budget including exchange of existing and installation of new barriers Cooperate with insurance companies at repairs Review the demandsfor barrierson the TEN-T roads (higher speed), always use class 3-4 barriers Huge innovation possibilities for barriers producers for safer barriers on TEN-T roads the producers onlyneeda demandfrom Trafikverket!
more recommendations Use forgiving road sides instead of side barriers the opposite is going on without any thoughts of motorcycle safety Increase the distance between barrier and road Introduce a program for paved shoulders, especially in bends Increase the height on barriers in Sweden Removefixedobjectsand improveroad design in terms of obstructedvision, warningsigns, road marking, friction etcetera Include motorcycles as reference vehicles
Final recommendations Initiate new test methods An urgent need for a standard why not simplify open standard? Make use of the information in STRADA (Swedish Traffic Accident Data Acquisition) about injuries in fatal and serious accidents with barriers Ask for statistics from insurance companies costs for the barriers, vehicles and personal injuries Include the total costs in the choice of barriers (maintenance and socio economic costs LCC)
Thanks! Contact information: maria.nordqvist@svmc.se