Effects of Bull Bars on Head and Lower Extremity Injuries in Vehicle-Pedestrian Collision

Weihong Guo, Jikuang Yang

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effect of bull bar on injuries of pedestrian head and lower extremities based on accident reconstructions and parameters analysis. Four real-world accidents with detailed information were reconstructed via simplified vehicle-pedestrian collision models (two of which with bull bars) in MADYMO. The injury mechanisms of pedestrians caused by bull bar were analyzed, comparing with non-bull-bar vehicle. Moreover, a pedestrian-friendly bull bar was proposed considering the influence of structures of bull bars on pedestrian injuries. The results of accidents reconstructions indicated that the rigid bull bar caused high risk of injuries on lower extremities. The design parameters, such as the height and leading length of upper bull bar had remarkable influences on the injury severity of head.