Motorcycle Safety Helmets COST Transport Publications COST 327 Motorcycle Safety Helmets Literature Review Manuscript completed in August 1996.
Helmets are a very effective device for protecting motorcyclists against severe head injuries.
The characteristics and the instrumentation capability of the selected headform are then very important for the optimisation of the protection capability of the helmet. This report compares the characteristics of existing headforms, discusses the injury prediction parameters and associated instrumentation, compares the impact test response of five different types of headform and makes proposals for the selection of the most relevant headforms. The Test Procedures group has the objective of proposing improved test procedures for motorcycle helmets at European level, by better establishing the risk of head, brain and neck injury and using the results to maximise the protection offered by helmets. The development of appropriate test methods is based on the work of input groups studying accident data, headforms, reconstruction of helmet damage, mathematical modelling and tolerance of the human head to different injuries. This document is the Interim Report of the group, prior to publication in the Final Report of the Action in December 1999.