Motorcycle Safety FHWAFHWA –Motorcycle Crash Causation Study –Evaluation Design for Motorcycle Safety Countermeasures –International Scan: Successful Infrastructure Countermeasures to Mitigate Motorcyclist Fatalities NCHRPNCHRP –NCHRP 22-26: Factors Related to Serious Injury and Fatal Motorcycle Crashes with Traffic Barriers –NCHRP 08-81: Improving the Quality of Motorcycle Travel Data Collection –Domestic Scan

Motorcycle Fatalities ( )

Fatality Rate ( ) Number of Motorcyclists Killed Per 100 M VMT and 100,000 Registered Motorcycles by Year (Source: FHWA/FARS)

2009 Motorcycle Fatality Results 4,462 Motorcyclists died in 20094,462 Motorcyclists died in 2009 U.S. motorcycle fatalities represent 13% of total highway fatalitiesU.S. motorcycle fatalities represent 13% of total highway fatalities Motorcycle related deaths were down 16% in 2009Motorcycle related deaths were down 16% in 2009 First drop in the past 11 yearsFirst drop in the past 11 years Encouraging but not yet a trendEncouraging but not yet a trend

International Motorcycle Safety Scan: Successful Infrastructure Countermeasures to Mitigate Motorcyclist Fatalities September 10-26, 2010

Sponsoring Organizations FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION AASHTO NCHRP National Cooperative Highway Research Program

Represent various interests: –3 U.S. Department of Transportation –4 State Departments of Transportation –1 Academia –3 Private Sector –1 Report Facilitator

Live in different states:

Panel Members:  David A. Nicol, P.E.,Co-Chair, FHWA, Washington, DC  Dennis W. Heuer, P.E., Co-Chair, Virginia DOT  Susan T. Chrysler, Ph.D., Report Facilitator, Texas Transportation Institute  Carol Tan, Ph.D, FHWA, Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, Virginia  Jeff Kolb, P.E.,FHWA, New York Division  Nicholas J. Garber, Ph.D, University of Virginia, Charlottesville  Keith Cota, P.E., New Hampshire DOT  James (Jim) Baron, American Traffic Safety Services Association  Edward Moreland, American Motorcyclist Association  Mark J. Bloschock, P.E., VRX Engineering, Inc.  Melinda McGrath, P.E., Mississippi DOT  Paul D. Degges, P.E., Tennessee DOT

We Visited:

Background: The number and rate of motorcyclist deaths rose 145% from 1996 to 2008 –Motorcycle vehicle miles of travel (VMT) is rising –Motorcycle crash fatalities involving guardrails is rising –Motorcycle fatalities have outpaced the rise in registrations –Greater need for effective and efficient enforcement Seeking Infrastructure, system operations and training improvements

USA 2009 Motorcycle Safety Facts Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, Motorcycles, 2008 Data and NHTSA National Occupant Protection Use Survey 4,462 motorcyclists fatalities and 90,000 injuries4,462 motorcyclists fatalities and 90,000 injuries 35% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding35% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding 22% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had invalid licenses22% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had invalid licenses 36% of motorcyclists killed had a BAC > % of motorcyclists killed had a BAC > % of motorcyclists wear helmets67% of motorcyclists wear helmets

Purpose and Scope: Review and Evaluate –Cost effective options to improve motorcycle safety –Integrate motorcycle usage into infrastructure design and operations –Safety data collection and programs –Barrier design and functionality –Maintenance practices –Intersection operations –Pavement treatments

Goal: To identify cost-effective infrastructure improvements to reduce motorcycle fatalities To identify design and system operational activities to reduce motorcycle fatalities Develop implementation strategies

Topics of Interest: Infrastructure Improvements: –Standards and Policies –Work Zone Activities –Maintenance Activities –Traffic Control Device Design and Placement –Roadway Geometric Design –Roadside Safety Design –Pavement Design –Intelligent Transportation Systems

Topics of Interest: Safety Data: –Crash Patterns –Data Management Research Activities Behavioral Safety and Legal Issues

What We Learned Rise in Riders = Lowering Fatality Rate Norway-Germany-Belgium: 12-15% of Fatalities France & England 28% and 19% of Fatalities Trend including Middle Aged Riders Purpose: Recreation vs Commuter Lane Splitting in Urban Areas –Workzone Practices Close Area of Hazard No positive protection/separation –Black Spot Evaluation with Follow-up DOT with Advocacy Groups –Motorcycle Protective Barriers No Data to Support Benefits Belgium & France: Barrier Criteria Established France: Initiated Effectiveness Study (2012) –Use of Cable Barriers Anecdotal Data in Support of Decisions

What We Learned Urban Traffic Management –Motorcycle/Cycle Advance Box Holistic Approach –Rider—Infrastructure—Machine Focus on Surface Improvements - Traction –Pavement Markings –Gap for Motorcycles –Manhole Covers –Steel Plates Strong Emphasis on Rider Training –Train the Trainer as well as Rider –Graduated Licensing and Testing Power to Weight Ratio –Age and Experience Based –Expensive Pursuit

What We Learned Mandatory Helmet Laws Commonality of Crash Types –Rural: Curves, Single PTW run-off-the-road –Urban: Intersections, Other Vehicle Highway Engineer Training in Motorcycle/Infrastructure Considerations Needed –Written guidance documents for road engineers Cooperation among Advocacy Organizations –Filtering Process

What We Learned Observation: –% of Motorcycle Fatalities are similar to the US (except France & England) –Data issues similar to US