Pedestrian reconstruction using multibody MADYMO simulation and the Polar-II dummy: a comparison of head kinematics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reconstruct three pedestrian collisions with multi-body simulations using the computer program MADYMO and the Polar-II dummy. In this paper, we compare the head kinematics of the computer simulation and the Polar-II test with reference to the vehiclepedestrian contacts in the actual cases. We also discuss aspects of the reconstructions made using these different tools, especially findings on the velocity trajectory of the head. The cases selected for reconstruction were ones in which the pedestrian’s height and weight were close to the 50th percentile adult human male, and where the accident investigation provided good estimates of impact speed and complete injury data. The cases were investigated to estimate the speed of the vehicle at impact and the position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle. Contact points between the vehicle and pedestrian were recorded. From this information MADYMO simulations were made to estimate the kinematics of the pedestrian during the collision. We then reconstructed each case using the Polar-II full-scale pedestrian dummy. Results showed that some aspects of the head kinematics were in good agreement but, generally, Polar-II head impact angles were steeper and the head impact location was more forward than the location suggested by the simulations and the cases themselves. Leg kinematics were noticeably different, with the Polar-II legs remaining engaged with the front of the vehicle for a longer period of the collision. In contrast to the simulations, the Polar-II legs were in some instances still engaged as the head stuck the vehicle.