Go-kart-related injuries and fatalities in Australia

Abstract

Go-kart-related injuries and fatalities have been investigated in several international studies over the past two decades, yet few have focussed on their crashworthiness. Go-karts are a unique racing and recreational vehicle that require careful consideration in terms of crashworthiness issues. Furthermore, no studies have been reported investigating Australian go-kart-related injuries and fatalities. To address this gap, the pattern of hospitalised morbidity and death associated with go-kart-related injuries in Australia were analysed. Also an in-depth case study of a go-kart fatal incident was simulated using a multi-body program commonly used to design crashworthy vehicle and barrier systems in order to highlight implications for the crashworthy design required for go-kart safety equipment and barrier protection. Recommendations concerning accessible safety devices such as seat belts, roll bars and appropriately designed energy dissipating crashworthy barrier systems are discussed.

Riding into Danger: Predictive Modeling for ATV-Related Injuries and Seasonal Patterns

“…Data seasonality analysis pointed out that the highest number of hospitalizations happened during the summer months (June, July, and August), accounting for 35% of all ATV-related injury cases (Figure 4). This finding aligns with both results from Table 2 and the previously reported seasonality patterns of ATV incidents [6][7][8][9], suggesting that ATV- Data seasonality analysis pointed out that the highest number of hospitalizations happened during the summer months (June, July, and August), accounting for 35% of all ATV-related injury cases (Figure 4). This finding aligns with both results from Table 2 and the previously reported seasonality patterns of ATV incidents [6][7][8][9], suggesting that ATV-related incidents are more likely to happen during warmer months, as most ATVs are used for recreational purposes (Table 2).…”

“…ATV-related injuries follow a seasonal variation, in which most hospital admissions happen during the summer season, holidays, and weekends [6][7][8][9]. In order to effectively predict and prevent ATV-related injuries, it is important to incorporate data seasonality into forecasting models.…”

A novel modular shallow mounted bollard system design and finite element performance analysis in ensuring urban roadside safety

“…2,6,7,9,[11][12][13][16][17][18][19][20] Bus stops, petrol stations, playgrounds, critical hazardous roadside facilities located on metropolitan roadsides (Figure 1) are regarded as risky areas that need to be protected. [21][22][23][24][25][26] Especially, critical hazardous roadside facilities can cause fatal threats if adequate traffic safety precautions are not taken. 27 Depending on the severity of the crash, fire and blast may occur that has a high risk of causing substantial damage to the passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and nearby dwellers.…”

Reconstruction of a go-karting fatality

“…Hence, it appears that the only studies to date outlining go-kart and barrier crashworthiness analysis were by Youngson and Baker (1978), Wilcoxon (1999) and Grzebieta et al (2004Grzebieta et al ( , 2010Grzebieta et al ( , 2013. It is also evident that go-kart injuries are common and go-karts and tracks should be addressed in terms of their crashworthiness.…”

“…Go-kart injuries and fatalities have been investigated by a number of researchers over the past four decades (Miller and Proctor, 1973;Youngson and Baker, 1978;Freeman et al, 1994;Stooksbury, 1996;Seow et al, 1998;Wilcoxon, 1999;Adler, 2000;Govaert et al, 2001;Stam, 2002;Grzebieta et al, 2004;Suddaby and Mowery, 2004;Ng and Chung, 2005;Conn et al, 2006;Li and Leong, 2006;Collins et al, 2007;Thomas et al, 2009;Eker et al, 2010;Grzebieta et al, 2010;Ahmad et al, 2011;Grzebieta et al, 2013). Yet little research has been carried out to increase their crashworthiness.…”