Skip to main content

Swedish motorcycle test

In Sweden crash testing has been carried out using motorcycles for the first time. Four crash tests were carried out at the VTI crash laboratory in Linköping, Sweden, for the client, the insurance company Folksam. As a result, Swedish motorcyclists can expect safer barriers according to VTI, the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Insitute. The VTI have participated in two different projects with focus on better safety for motorcyclists. The first project was run in cooperation with the Swedish Mo
November 10, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
In Sweden crash testing has been carried out using motorcycles for the first time. Four crash tests were carried out at the 7264 VTI crash laboratory in Linköping, Sweden, for the client, the insurance company Folksam. As a result, Swedish motorcyclists can expect safer barriers according to VTI, the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Insitute.

The VTI have participated in two different projects with focus on better safety for motorcyclists. The first project was run in cooperation with the Swedish Motorcyclists Association (SMC) and the Swedish parapet and barrier association (SVBRF). This studied existing literature to describe state-of-the art in motorcycle to barrier crash interaction. In the second project, initiated by Folksam, four full-scale crash tests on barriers with different kinds of protection was executed.

The joint result from these two projects opened a possibility to run a final crash test with a simple prototype of a plastic cover to shield the sharp edge on the top of the barrier. According to VTI, this prototype will help reduce injuries to motorcyclists in the event of an impact. In the various tests, different kinds of motorcycle protection systems were installed on a traditional W-beam and sigma post barriers.

The cover will let the motorcyclist slide along the barrier instead of getting stuck, lowering the severity of injuries.

The positive outcome is all about covering sharp edges and protruding parts, including the posts of the barrier. The plastic tube is a cheap and simple way of demonstrating a principle but it is yet not a finished product according to VTI.
The VTI crash laboratory is an accredited test facility for the EN1317 European test procedure for barriers. Being part of the international work with the procedure research engineer at the VTI crash laboratory, Jan Wenäll, will bring this experience to the ongoing development of an additional procedure for motorcyclists addition to the same procedure.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Rigorous testing for high performance materials
    February 9, 2012
    Today’s highways require high performance materials, and this means rigorous testing as Patrick Smith reports Highways are under greater pressure than ever today and asphalts have to grant high performances in order to withstand traffic and meet the standards. Studying the plastic permanent deformations in hot mix asphalt (HMA) is very important to obtain useful information for mix designers as an appropriate mix design will reduce the formation of unevenness on road surface. To investigate the effect of mi
  • ERF organises successful road safety event
    May 31, 2013
    ERF organises successful event on Roadside Safety in cooperation with Transport Research Board. On 11 April, more than 90 participants from different parts of the world gathered in Brussels to attend the 2nd European Workshop of the TRB’s AFB 20 (2) Subcommittee on Roadside Safety. Coordinated by the European Union Road Federation and held at the CEN premises, the event proved a huge success. According to Konstandinos Diamandouros, ERF Head of Office and coordinator of the event, the feedback received from
  • IRF World Congress: moving ahead
    October 18, 2024
    On the last day of the three-day IRF World Congress in Istanbul, attendees heard what can work best, what can be improved and what the future might hold for those pursuing sustainable goals. David Arminas reports.
  • More motorcycle helmets added to UK safety ratings
    March 1, 2012
    More than 20 new motorcycle helmet safety ratings have been published by UK Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.