Analysis of pedestrian kinematics and ground impact in traffic accidents using video records

ABSTRACTPedestrians are exposed to the traffic environment without protection and thereby easily suffer serious traffic injuries when involved in a motor vehicle collision. The aims of this study were to investigate the pedestrian kinematics and ground impact in 200 real-world accident cases with video recordings. The impact velocities, pedestrian kinematics and ground impact were analysed by utilising the video information. The highest frequency of the vehicle impact velocity was estimated to be between 30 and 50 km/h. Sedan impacts led to high rotation angles of pedestrians, and the rotation angles increased as the impact velocities increased. The highest occurring frequency of kinematics involved somersaults which accounted for 39% in sedan accidents. The pedestrian rotation angle and kinematics depends on a vehicle's front shape and impact velocity. Also, the pedestrian rotation angle and kinematics can influence the pedestrian landing mechanisms including the order of the body region landing to the g...