Simulation-based approach to investigate the electric scooter rider protection during traffic accidents

The recent emergence of electric scooter (e-scooter) rideshare companies has greatly increased the use of escooters around the world, which has increased the number of injuries associated with their use. A primary cause of e-scooter crashes is front-wheel collisions with a vertical surface. This research numerically simulated various e-scooter-stopper crashes across different impact speeds, approach angles, and stopper heights to characterize their influence on rider injury risk during falls. A finite element (FE) model of a standing Hybrid III anthropomorphic test device was used as the rider. The angle of approach was found to have the greatest effect on injury risk to the rider. Additionally, arm bracing was shown to reduce the risk of serious injury in two thirds of the impact scenarios. Most e-scooter rider fatalities are recorded in collisions between a car and an e-scooter. Therefore, crashes between an e-scooter and a sedan and between an e-scooter and a sports utility vehicle were simulated using FE models. The vehicles impacted the e-scooter at a speed of 30 km/hr in a perpendicular collision and at 15° towards the vehicle. The risks of serious injury to the rider were low for the head, brain, and neck, but femur/tibia fractures were observed in all simulations.