1. FHWA Motorcycle Crash Causation Study
Traffic Records Forum
August 2016
Carol H. Tan, PhD

2. Why Study Motorcycles Crashes?

3. Why Study Motorcycles Crashes?

4. Congressional Response
Congress mandated the Motorcycle Crash Causation Study (MCCS)
OECD Data Collection Protocol
Oklahoma State University
NHTSA Pilot Study
FHWA and NHTSA worked to develop data collection program
Final Report: June,2010

5. NHTSA Pilot Study Anticipated MCCS Legislation Developed Materials
Worked Closely with FHWA
Utilized OECD Methodology
Developed Materials
Investigator Training
Data Collection Forms
Database Development
Final Report
23 Crash Investigations
Recommendations

6. FHWA MCCS Team FHWA Oklahoma State University
Federal Oversight
Oklahoma State University
Project Lead
Dynamic Sciences, Inc. Crash Investigation
Westat, Inc.
Statistical Analysis
Dynamic Research, Inc.
OECD Liaison / Quality Control
Motorcycle Accident Analysis
Quality Control
Collision and Injury Dynamics
Quality Control / Helmet Testing

7. MCCS Budget $3.5 Million Sample Size Financial Partners
USDOT
FHWA
NHTSA
Six State DOTs
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Texas
Wisconsin
American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
Sample Size
351 Crash Investigations
702 Control Rider Interviews

8. Project Development Acquire Necessary Approvals
OSU IRB Approval
NIH Certificate of Confidentiality
Memoranda of Understanding
“Buy-in” from local Jurisdictions
Notify investigators of Crashes
Project Working Group
Annual meetings with Motorcycle Safety Community
Crash Investigator Training
PWG Members
FHWA
NHTSA
Oklahoma State University
Westat
Dynamic Science, Inc.
Dynamic Research, Inc.
Motorcycle Accident Analysis
American Motorcyclist Association
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
NTSB
Oregon State University
ABATE of Indiana

9. MCCS Data Collection Orange County, California 3 Crash Investigators
Urban
Rural
Commuters
Leisure Riders
3 Crash Investigators
2 re-hired from the NHTSA Pilot
Experienced Crash Investigators
On call 24/7

10. MCCS On-Scene Data Collection

11. OECD Methodology
Organisation for Economic Co-operative Development (OECD)
On-Scene Investigation
Vehicle Inspection
Rider Interviews
Injury Data
Control Rider Interviews
2 Controls/Crash
1,600+ Data Elements

12. Crash Investigation Process
Respond On-Scene
Scene / Evidence Documentation
Interview participants / Witnesses
Take initial measurements
Motorcycle Crash Causes and Outcomes
Case Supplemental
Case Number: 0016
Crash Type: Motorcycle vs. SUV / Front to Side Impact with Fatal Injuries.
Vehicle 1: 2011 Suzuki GSXR 750 (750cc) Sport/Race replica motorcycle
Vehicle 2: 2006 Honda Element
Environmental and Crash Specifics: This two vehicle crash occurred in September 2011 at 2224 hours in Southern California. It was dark and the weather was partly cloudy, the temperature was 65 degrees F and the winds were calm. The asphalt roadway surface was dry at the time and was noted to be travel worn.
The crash occurred on a lightly traveled North/South local street that consists of one southbound travel lane, one northbound travel lane, with a northbound left turn lane at crash location. The roadway is bordered on the west side by 8” raised curbing and sidewalks, the east side is bordered by 8” raised curbing. The asphalt roadway surface is level at the crash location and the posted speed limit is 35 mph.
Crash Situation: Vehicle 1 was a 2011 Suzuki GSXR 750 (750cc) Sport/Race replica motorcycle that was being operated by a 23 year old Caucasian male (72 in., 195 lbs.) who was wearing a full face helmet with a smoke colored plastic visor. The operator of Vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) was proceeding southbound in lane 1 (curb lane) at an estimated speed of approximately 45 mph, doing a wheelie.
Vehicle 2 was a 2006 Honda Element was being operated by a 28 year-old Caucasian female (65 in., 125 lbs.) who was reportedly wearing the available three-point manual lap and shoulder restraint. The 28 year-old female entered the northbound left turn lane, slowing with left turn signal on prior to making a left turn. The driver of Vehicle 2 (Honda Element) turned left with the intention of entering a driveway. She initially traversed the southbound travel lane without detecting Vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) due to the high angle of vehicle 1’s headlight and was struck by vehicle 1 on the right side.
Vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) came down on both wheels, then flipped over onto to its top and slid rear first (right side) impacting vehicle 2 (Honda Element) at an acute impact angle on the right side doors and breaking the right side rear wheel. Both vehicles engaged in a “sideslap” as the right side of the rear wheel, exhaust and foot pegs of the motorcycle rips into the sheet metal of the right B piller, rear door panel and rear wheel of Vehicle 2 (Honda Element). The motorcycle and the Honda separated as the motorcycle lays down on its left side plane. The motorcycle spins and slides to its FRP. The rider of the motorcycle was ejected as the motorcycle flips onto its top plane causing the rider to be vaulted forward head first onto the pavement, where he slides feet first on his back to his FRP. The rider came to rest on the northbound roadway facing north-east and the bike came to rest listing on its left side and facing east at its final rest position. Vehicle 2 (Honda Element) came to rest in center of the driveway and was facing north. The rider was unresponsive at the scene and was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Rider Injuries and Impairment:
The deceased 23 year old male operator of the motorcycle had a BAC of .07 and sustained the following (AIS-3) injuries: a Diffuse cerebral edema, vascular injury with perirenal hematoma, splenic rupture, left lung laceration and bilateral pulmonary contusions. He also sustained Diffuse bilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage, multable fracture (AIS-2) injuries. Minor abrasions, contusions, a forehead laceration and avulsion of the left #3 and 4 fingers (AIS-1) injuries. The operator of Vehicle 2 was uninjured in the crash but had a BAC of .05 at the crash scene.
Crash Causation Related Factors:
Human Factors: Both the 23 year old male rider of vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) and the 28 year old female driver of vehicle 2 (Honda Element) were impaired by alcohol. The rider of vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) was performing an unsafe act “wheelie” reducing the ability of the driver of vehicle 2 (Honda Element) to see the motorcycle before starting her left turn.
Vehicle Factors: The crash involved vehicles were free of defects and determined not to be a crash causal factor.
Environmental Factors: There were no environmental factors that were determined to be linked to the crash causation.
Contributing Factors Form 105.
Primary crash contributing factor?
(03) Motorcycle rider decision failure.
Contributing Factors Form 106.
Crash Contributing factors?
(29 A) Motorcycle rider unsafe acts or risk taking behavior
(26 A) Motorcycle rider drug and/or alcohol involvement
(31 C) OV driver drug and /or alcohol involvement

13. Scene Diagram Detailed Measurements Lane width Curb height
Point of Final Rest
Record any crash-related evidence
Tire marks
Remaining debris
Damage to roadside objects

14. Scene Diagram Motorcycle Crash Causes and Outcomes Case Supplemental
Case Number: 0016
Crash Type: Motorcycle vs. SUV / Front to Side Impact with Fatal Injuries.
Vehicle 1: 2011 Suzuki GSXR 750 (750cc) Sport/Race replica motorcycle
Vehicle 2: 2006 Honda Element
Environmental and Crash Specifics: This two vehicle crash occurred in September 2011 at 2224 hours in Southern California. It was dark and the weather was partly cloudy, the temperature was 65 degrees F and the winds were calm. The asphalt roadway surface was dry at the time and was noted to be travel worn.
The crash occurred on a lightly traveled North/South local street that consists of one southbound travel lane, one northbound travel lane, with a northbound left turn lane at crash location. The roadway is bordered on the west side by 8” raised curbing and sidewalks, the east side is bordered by 8” raised curbing. The asphalt roadway surface is level at the crash location and the posted speed limit is 35 mph.
Crash Situation: Vehicle 1 was a 2011 Suzuki GSXR 750 (750cc) Sport/Race replica motorcycle that was being operated by a 23 year old Caucasian male (72 in., 195 lbs.) who was wearing a full face helmet with a smoke colored plastic visor. The operator of Vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) was proceeding southbound in lane 1 (curb lane) at an estimated speed of approximately 45 mph, doing a wheelie.
Vehicle 2 was a 2006 Honda Element was being operated by a 28 year-old Caucasian female (65 in., 125 lbs.) who was reportedly wearing the available three-point manual lap and shoulder restraint. The 28 year-old female entered the northbound left turn lane, slowing with left turn signal on prior to making a left turn. The driver of Vehicle 2 (Honda Element) turned left with the intention of entering a driveway. She initially traversed the southbound travel lane without detecting Vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) due to the high angle of vehicle 1’s headlight and was struck by vehicle 1 on the right side.
Vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) came down on both wheels, then flipped over onto to its top and slid rear first (right side) impacting vehicle 2 (Honda Element) at an acute impact angle on the right side doors and breaking the right side rear wheel. Both vehicles engaged in a “sideslap” as the right side of the rear wheel, exhaust and foot pegs of the motorcycle rips into the sheet metal of the right B piller, rear door panel and rear wheel of Vehicle 2 (Honda Element). The motorcycle and the Honda separated as the motorcycle lays down on its left side plane. The motorcycle spins and slides to its FRP. The rider of the motorcycle was ejected as the motorcycle flips onto its top plane causing the rider to be vaulted forward head first onto the pavement, where he slides feet first on his back to his FRP. The rider came to rest on the northbound roadway facing north-east and the bike came to rest listing on its left side and facing east at its final rest position. Vehicle 2 (Honda Element) came to rest in center of the driveway and was facing north. The rider was unresponsive at the scene and was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Rider Injuries and Impairment:
The deceased 23 year old male operator of the motorcycle had a BAC of .07 and sustained the following (AIS-3) injuries: a Diffuse cerebral edema, vascular injury with perirenal hematoma, splenic rupture, left lung laceration and bilateral pulmonary contusions. He also sustained Diffuse bilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage, multable fracture (AIS-2) injuries. Minor abrasions, contusions, a forehead laceration and avulsion of the left #3 and 4 fingers (AIS-1) injuries. The operator of Vehicle 2 was uninjured in the crash but had a BAC of .05 at the crash scene.
Crash Causation Related Factors:
Human Factors: Both the 23 year old male rider of vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) and the 28 year old female driver of vehicle 2 (Honda Element) were impaired by alcohol. The rider of vehicle 1 (Suzuki GSXR) was performing an unsafe act “wheelie” reducing the ability of the driver of vehicle 2 (Honda Element) to see the motorcycle before starting her left turn.
Vehicle Factors: The crash involved vehicles were free of defects and determined not to be a crash causal factor.
Environmental Factors: There were no environmental factors that were determined to be linked to the crash causation.
Contributing Factors Form 105.
Primary crash contributing factor?
(03) Motorcycle rider decision failure.
Contributing Factors Form 106.
Crash Contributing factors?
(29 A) Motorcycle rider unsafe acts or risk taking behavior
(26 A) Motorcycle rider drug and/or alcohol involvement
(31 C) OV driver drug and /or alcohol involvement

15. Motorcycle Investigation

16. Motorcycle Investigation

17. Motorcycle Investigation

18. Motorcycle Investigation

19. Motorcycle Investigation

20. Motorcycle Investigation

21. Other Information Resources
Police Accident Report
Description of crash event
BAC measurements
Rider Interviews
Crash account
Riding history
Licensing status
Rider training
Emotional state

22. Medical Records Obtain Medical Records from Hospital
Code all injuries using Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS)
Identify location and description of all injuries
Obtain coroner’s report
Injury details
Toxicology results

23. Helmet Reconstruction
Documentation
Helmet certification
Manufacture date
Chin strap
Helmet recovery
Offer $100 gift card for replacement helmet
Used for reconstruction (~10%)

24. Helmet Reconstruction

25. Helmet Reconstruction
Recreate Crash Forces on Exemplar Helmet
Identify Impact Zones and Direction of Force

26. Control Interviews Serve as Control Population
Detailed data collection
Rider history
Motorcycle detail
Protective equipment
Trip purpose
$40 Gas Card

27. Internal DB Range & Completeness Checks
Quality Control
Collect All Case Data
In-House Review
External Review
Case Complete
Medical Coding
Complete Review
CID
MAA
DRI
Internal DB Range & Completeness Checks

28. Data Access Finished Data Collection in January, 2016
Data access for the research community in Fall, 2016
Access administered by the FHWA Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) Program

29. More Information
Contact Information
MCCS Website
Contact information and website details.
The site is updated regularly to show the current number of cases and offer other important program updates.

30. Questions?
Thank You