Significance of the vehicle front design and gait postures on traumatic brain injuries sustained by different pedestrian populations during car-to-pedestrian collisions (CPCs) - A computational approach

Abstract

With the increasing prevalence of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in road traffic accidents (RTAs), it was identified that the shape of the vehicle\u27s front end and pedestrian postures prior to impact significantly influence pedestrian head injuries. However, the effect of vehicle front shape parameters and gait postures on TBIs sustained in car-to-pedestrian collisions (CPCs) has yet to be quantified. This study used a computational approach to analyze the effect of vehicle shape parameters and pedestrian gait postures on pedestrian TBI risks across a diverse pedestrian population with varying body sizes. Our findings indicate that vehicle shape parameter such as BLEH (Bonnet leading edge height), BA (Bonnet angle), and WA (Windshield angle) were statistically significant predictors of pedestrians\u27 TBI risk. Increasing BLEH in sedans and decreasing BLEH in high-leading-edged vehicles reduce the risk of TBIs. Vehicles with high BLEH and low BA were susceptible to AIS (Abbreviated injury scale) 4+ head injuries. In vehicles with a low BLEH, pedestrian height and mass were statistically significant factors affecting pedestrian head rotation. Our results demonstrate that TBI risks were found to be different for gait percentage in the same and different gait types. Walking and emergency gaits dominate linear head kinematics, whereas running gaits dominate head rotation in pedestrians, resulting in substantial brain strain. Linear head kinematics varies significantly between the stance and swing phases of walking and running gait postures, whereas rotational head kinematics and brain strains vary cyclically but to a less extent