Useful Research Papers, Links to useful stuff and Writings

Contributors to this section include Stephen Prower, Research Officer for the British Motorcycle Federation

Dynamics of changing lanes

Here's an interesting paper on the dynamics of changing lanes when riding a motorcycle!

For the related subject of swerving in an emergency, see BMF colleague Trevor Magner's 27th May 2002 Briefing Document
'The Brake and Swerve Manoeuvre of the 2nd EC Driving Licence Directive'

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: http://www.kevaeng.com/pdffiles/ifz_paper.pdf
Rider Inputs and Powered Two Wheeler Response for Pre-Crash Maneuvers
Size: 744 KB (761,010 bytes)

Rider Inputs and Powered Two Wheeler Response for Pre-Crash Maneuvers

Michael S. Varat
Stein E. Husher
Karl F. Shuman
John F. Kerkhoff

KEVA Engineering, LLC
Camarillo, California
USA

Proceedings of the 2004 International Motorcycle Safety
Conference, Published by the Institut Fur Zweiradsicherheit
e.V., Munich, Germany, September 2004

Abstract: Motorcycle response in pre-crash maneuvers
is dependant on both rider skill and motorcycle dynamic
properties. However, rider skill and the rider's understanding
of basic motorcycle handling parameters may have a much greater influence on the ability to avoid obstacles than the actual dynamic response characteristics of the individual motorcycle.

The current research presents results from a series of lane change and accident avoidance maneuvers conducted on
instrumented motorcycles equipped with a data acquisition
system.

Parameters under study include both rider control input
(throttle, brake, steering force) and motorcycle response
output (steering angle, roll angle, and lateral and longitudinal acceleration). The testing is conducted with typical street motorcycles of varying types (large cruisers through 600cc sport) and riders of varying ability (novice to expert). The rider control inputs are varied from minor through hard accident avoidance maneuvers. Motorcycle response parameters are studied for time response and maneuver severity as a function of rider control inputs. The total response time of the system is studied for increasing rider control input.

The presented data will assist in the investigation and reconstruction of motorcycle crashes by increasing the
understanding of motorcycle response times under varying
control inputs. The presented data will also assist in
providing guidelines for rider education at the beginning
through advanced levels of accident avoidance training.

END