[Automobile versus pedestrian accidents analysis by fixed-parameters computer simulation].
OBJECTIVE
Using computer simulation to analyze the effects of speed, type of automobile and impacted position on crash-course and injuries of pedestrians in automobile vs. pedestrian accidents.


METHODS
Automobiles (bus, minibus, car and truck) and pedestrian models were constructed with multi-body dynamics computing method. The crashes were simulated at different impact speeds (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 km/h) and different positions (front, lateral and rear of pedestrians). Crash-courses and their biomechanical responses were studied.


RESULTS
If the type of automobile and impact position were the same, the crash-courses were similar (impact speed < or = 60 km/h). There were some characteristics in the head acceleration, upper neck axial force and leg axial force.


CONCLUSIONS
Multi-body dynamics computer simulation of crash can be applied to analyze crash-course and injuries (head, neck and leg) of pedestrians.
Mao
Ming-Yuan
MY
Medical School of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China. mao_mingyuan@sohu.com
Chen
Yi-Jiu
YJ
Liu
Ning-Guo
NG
Zou
Dong-Hua
DH
Liu
Jun-Yong
JY
Jin
Xian-Long
XL
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001336:Automobiles; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D016138:Walking