Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable of road users. Analysis has shown that there are typically 4,700 motorcycle fatalities throughout Europe each year and this represents some 16% of the total road-user fatalities, the second largest group after car occupants. It was, therefore, considered important that road safety practitioners in Europe have a good understanding of this problem to decide on future developments in this critical area. Head injuries cause some three-quarters of all fatalities to motorcyclists, while about one quarter of all injured riders suffer a head injury. COST 327 was formed to investigate in detail, motorcyclists' head and neck injuries. The COST 327 action was established with seven research topics, with a timetable and four main objectives, all to be achieved using a wide range of European experience to determine or modify national approaches. It is important to note that during the course of the project it was estimated that fatal and serious head injuries could be reduced by at least 20% per annum across the EC with an achievable improvement in helmet performance. Thus, 1000 lives could be saved each year
Topics:
1. Literature review
2. Accident data collection
3. Headform assessment
4. Reconstruction of helmet accident damage
5. Mathematical model of the skull, brain, neck, and helmet
6. Human tolerance to injury
7. Development of test procedures
Objectives:
1. The first was to establish the distribution and severity of injuries experienced by motorcyclists, concentrating on the head and neck.
2. The second was to determine the most significant head and neck injury mechanisms.
3. Thirdly, the tolerance of the human head, brain and neck to these injuries and injury mechanisms was to be established.
4. The overall findings were to be used to propose a specification for the future testing ofmotorcycle helmets in Europe.