Numerical Investigation on Head and Brain Injuries Caused by Windshield Impact on Riders Using Electric Self-Balancing Scooters

Abstract

To investigate head-brain injuries caused by windshield impact on riders using electric self-balancing scooters (ESS). Numerical vehicle ESS crash scenarios are constructed by combining the finite element (FE) vehicle model and multibody scooter/rider models. Impact kinematic postures of the head-windshield contact under various impact conditions are captured. Then, the processes during head-windshield contact are reconstructed using validated FE head/laminated windshield models to assess the severity of brain injury caused by the head-windshield contact. Governing factors, such as vehicle speed, ESS speed, and the initial orientation of ESS rider, have nontrivial influences over the severity of a rider's brain injuries. Results also show positive correlations between vehicle speed and head-windshield impact speeds (linear and angular). Meanwhile, the time of head-windshield contact happens earlier when the vehicle speed is faster. According to the intensive study, windshield-head contact speed (linear and angular), impact location on the windshield, and head collision area are found to be direct factors on ESS riders' brain injuries during an impact. The von Mises stress and shear stress rise when relative contact speed of head-windshield increases. Brain injury indices vary widely when the head impacting the windshield from center to the edge or impacting with different areas.

Financial impact of electric scooters: a review of injuries over 27 months at an urban level 1 trauma center (cost of e-scooter injuries at an urban level 1 trauma center)

“…This has led to a dilemma of where scooter riders should be as they have the potential to seriously injure pedestrians in collisions, but on the road riders are relatively unprotected as compared with vehicle passengers. 13 18 This continues to be a challenging issue to address, especially when considering results of a recent study reporting e-scooter riders are more likely to engage in more risky behaviors than pedestrians and cyclists. 19 …”

“…Recently, a handful of studies have reported on e-scooter related injuries in the emergency department setting with a focus on the low helmet use-reported at <5%-and the broad spectrum of injuries patients have been experiencing from minor soft tissue injuries to traumatic brain injuries. [13][14][15][16][17] In addition to rising rates of scooter riders experiencing injuries, injury rates of pedestrians sharing the sidewalk with scooter riders have also increased. This has led to a dilemma of where scooter riders should be as they have the potential to seriously injure pedestrians in collisions, but on the road riders are relatively unprotected as compared with vehicle passengers.…”

Parameter sensitivity analysis of pedestrian head dynamic response and injuries based on coupling simulations

“…Better windshield and engine hood models should be considered as well. [47][48][49][50][51] Consideration of these factors mentioned above might produce more reliable results, which is a very noteworthy content of further research.…”

Numerical investigation of the rider's head injury in typical single-electric self-balancing scooter accident scenarios

“…Xu et al [7] used MADYMO multi-rigid body analysis software to analyse the severity of head injuries of ESS riders, cyclists and pedestrians in side-collision scenarios and found that the ESS riders' risk of head injury was less than that of pedestrians. Shang et al [8] used a multi-body (MB) and finite-element (FE) method to analyse the injury due to the collision between ESS riders' head and car windshield through the reconstruction of ESS collision accident; their results showed that the severity of riders' head injury had a significant relationship with head linear velocity, angular velocity and collision position. Xu et al [9] used the same method to conduct an in-depth study on the injury due to the collision between the head of ESS riders and the road surface, and the results showed that the risk of head injury positively correlated with speed.…”

“…Shang et al . [8] used a multi-body (MB) and finite-element (FE) method to analyse the injury due to the collision between ESS riders' head and car windshield through the reconstruction of ESS collision accident; their results showed that the severity of riders’ head injury had a significant relationship with head linear velocity, angular velocity and collision position. Xu et al .…”