The feasibility of devices intended to protect the legs of motorcyclists in impacts has been researched for three decades; this paper reviews the prior history and presents the latest results of an overall evaluation of a UK Draft Specification (UKDS) leg protector device, based on the standardized full scale test and simulation methods of ISO 13232. International Standard 13232 (1996) was developed and internationally approved for the purpose of providing common research methods for assessing the feasibility of protective devices which might be fitted to motorcycles and which are intended to reduce injuries to riders resulting from car impacts. A prototype UKDS device designed by the UK Transport Research Laboratory in 1990 was evaluated by means of 14 full scale crash tests with an instrumented MATD dummy; and 200 computer simulations representing 501 Los Angeles and Hannover accidents. The simulations were calibrated in detail against 32 instrumented laboratory tests and the 14 full scale tests. Results in terms of standardized injury analysis and risk/benefit analysis across the tests and simulated accident sample are presented, and conclusions and recommendations are discussed. (A)
Abstract