Test Protocols

Today, various existing protocols to test Motorcyclist Protection Systems (MPS) are simulating motorcycles accidents, using a sliding motorcyclist impacting the tested system, head first, without the motorcycle. A dummy is launched at a given speed and a given entrance angle, and is made to collide against the MPS, on the post or between two posts. The main differences between tests protocols include criteria such as impact speed, impact point, entrance angle and the part of the dummy which hits the MPS first.

Some countries in Europe have their own norm to evaluate safety barriers, due to motorcycle accidents. We can remark the Spanish Standard (UNE 135900), and the French Test Protocol (L.I.E.R.).

Among the existing protocols, the way to test the MPS (Motorcyclist Protection System) is very similar (except the German BASt for upright impacts). Basically what is done is a simulation of a motorcyclist sliding on the road, without the motorcycle, and crashing into the MPS. The requirements for the approval of a product vary, and an MPS approved in one country is not guaranteed to receive approval in another.

European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has developed the TS 1317-8, which contains provisions for the evaluation of the performance of safety barriers under the impact of a rider sliding along the ground.