Simulation and Analysis of a Rider’s Risk of being Mechanically Asphyxiated as a Result of a Quad Bike Rollover

Abstract

From 2001 to 2013, over 181 people have died in quad bike (commonly referred to as All Terrain Vehicles or ATVs in the USA) incidents in Australia; 45% of fatalities are work related and 55% are from recreational use. Quad bikes are the leading cause of injury and death on Australian farms. In 2011 alone, there were 23 quad bike related fatalities and 18 of these occurred on a farm. Deaths due to rollover account for about half of the quad bike fatalities and 90% of rollover deaths occur on farms. The Heads of Workplace Health and Safety (HWSA) Trans-Tasman Working-Party on ‘Quad Bike Safety’ inquired whether it was: “… reasonably practicable for a device to be developed that when fitted to quad bike reduces the potential for death and/or serious injury caused by entrapment beneath an overturned vehicle? ” The options which have been considered to protect riders in the event of a quad bike rollover are: Personal protective equipment; Active riding; Crush Protection Devices (CPD); Roll Over Protective Structures (ROPS) without restraint; and ROPS with restraint. Post rollover entrapment of the torso by a quad bike can result in mechanical asphyxia. 9,600 simulations (6 x 1,600) using PC-Crash were conducted to comparatively evaluate quad bike rollovers which could result in mechanical asphyxiation. The simulations illustrate the effectiveness and benefits of CPD (Quadbar or Lifeguard); ROPS without restraint and ROPS with restraint (Polaris Sportsman Ace) over the basic quad bike in terms of the rider being entrapped beneath an overturned quad bike and mechanically asphyxiated post rollover.