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Citation
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Hicks D, Grzebieta R, Mongiardini M, Rechnitzer G, Simmons K, Olivier J. Safety Sci. 2018; 106: 28-34. |
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Abstract
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Quad bikes, referred to as All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in North America, are the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries on Australian farms and on-farms in many other countries. These fatal and injurious events have been associated with riding over bumps such as rocks, tree stumps, grass tufts, etc., specifically bumps positioned in-line with one wheel track of the quad bike that can result in a rollover trapping the rider.
Objectives
Earlier work presented Finite Element simulations showing how a quad bike and seated rider travelling over the bump on flat terrain can induce sudden steering and yawing that consequently triggers a rollover event. This study identifies which combination of speed, slope and bump size causes a quad bike with a seated rider to rollover.
Results
Two different rollover mechanisms occur depending on the speed, slope angle and bump height: a rear wheel impact steering induced rollover mechanism; and a front wheel impact tip-over mechanism. When quad bike speed and the slope steepness are increased to typical values (e.g. 20 km/h and 12.5°), the bump size needed to cause a rollover quickly reduces (e.g. around 100 mm).
Conclusion
Quad bikes are particularly vulnerable to a rollover event when travelling around farming environments where they traverse relatively small bumps on typical grassy slopes at moderate speeds. This suggests that a quad bike should no longer be considered as a vehicle fit for farming tasks and alternate safer vehicles should be considered.
Language: en |