Pedestrian Throw Distance Impact Speed Contour Plots Using PC-Crash

Abstract

Pedestrian throw distance can be used to evaluate vehicle impact speed for wrap or forward projection type pedestrian collisions. There have been multiple papers demonstrating relationships between the impact speed of a vehicle and the subsequent pedestrian throw distance. In the majority of instances, the scenarios evaluated focused on the central width of the vehicle impacting the pedestrian. However, based on investigated pedestrian collisions, the location where the pedestrian has engaged with the vehicle can and does significantly influence the throw distance (and projection) and subsequent impact speed analysis. PC-Crash was used to simulate multiple pedestrian impacts at varying speeds and vehicle impact locations, creating pedestrian throw distance impact speed contour plots. This paper presents the pedestrian throw distance impact speed contour plots for a range of nine vehicle types. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate that there is an effect on impacted pedestrians' throw distance and post impact direction due to both the vehicle shape and point of impact on the vehicle. However the effect is not yet validated by means of physical tests and further research is required.