Development and Evaluation of Concrete Barrier Containment Options for Errant Motorcycle Riders

Motorcycles are among the most vulnerable vehicles on the road. Although a combination of different factors may cause motorcycle crashes, an appropriate design of roadside safety systems can play an important role in limiting the severity of motorcycle crashes. Roadside safety systems are not typically designed with the special needs of motorcyclists in mind. The Roadside Design Guide provides guidelines for proper concrete barrier placement on roadways but does not address motorcycle barriers (1). The Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware includes testing guidelines and evaluation criteria for roadside safety barriers impacted by errant vehicles but does not address impacts by motorcycles (2). There is a need to improve motorcyclist safety by designing and evaluating a containment system for upright errant motorcycle riders impacting a concrete barrier. This system would prevent riders from flying over, while limiting injury severity to the rider during the impact event. In this study, finite element computer simulations were used to assist with the design and evaluation of proposed containment options to be mounted on a concrete barrier. An upright motorcycle full-scale crash test with a Hybrid III 50th percentile male dummy was conducted to evaluate the crashworthiness of a chain link fence containment system supported by U-shaped posts and attached to a curved concrete barrier section. The test was conducted at nominal impact speed of 35 mph and impact angle of 18 degrees to the barrier. During the impact event, the system successfully contained the dummy, which did not interact with the system posts.