ROADSIDE BARRIER FOR MOTORCYCLIST SAFETY

Muhammad Arsyad Bin Ruslan, Ameer Syazwan Bin Saaid, Fazlily Waheeda Binti Mohd Yusdi, Siti Hajar Binti
Zamri, Encik Mohd Erwan Bin Sanik

Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Diploma Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja,
Johor, Malaysia

aa140374@uthm.siswa.edu.my, aa141352@uthm.siswa.edu.my, aa140101@siswa.uthm.edu.my,

aa141383@siswa.uthm.edu.my
___________________________________________________________________________
Abstract

Roadside barriers are designed to enhance the safety of the road infrastructure by containing errant
vehicles and reducing the severity of off-path collisions. While conventional barrier systems have
performed well for the occupants of passenger cars, their effects on the safety of other road user
groups, especially motorcyclists, is not well understood. Some Asian countries are facing up problems
in road safety because of the increasing of motorcycle. Aside from its beneficial function for
accessibility, motorcycle has particular issues within road safety framework. As the road safety issues
in latest year are concerning serious problems in terms of motorcycle safety. This project focuses on
issues of motorcycle lane design to be more sustainable. The paper reviews the relationship between
motorcycles and road safety and of motorcycle lane design for road safety mobility.

Keywords: Safety barrier, motorcycle, impact

1.0 Introduction

In Malaysia, like most Asian countries, motorcycle usage is predominant on highways and W-
beam guardrail system is widely seen on these roads as roadside safety barrier. On average,
motorcycle accounts for 49% of registered vehicles in Malaysia [1]. About 68% of all road accident
injuries involved motorcyclists with overall relative risks of about 20 times higher than that of
passenger cars [2]. As the total number of registered motorcycle continues to increase, motorcycle
crashes also increases resulting in severe injuries to motorcyclists. Some of these crashes involve
interaction with roadside barrier, which at times result in death of motorcyclists. Studies have
identified interaction of motorcycle with w-beam guardrail as unsafe to motorcyclists. However, w-
beam guardrail system was originally designed to protect occupants of cars and trucks but not
specifically to protect impacting motorcyclists.

Roadside barriers are typically concrete, guardrail and wire-rope. There has been a significant
concern raised by motorcycle organisations in Australia and overseas regarding the use of wire rope
barriers. In recognition of the severity of motorcycle crashes involving w-beam guardrail system, this
project used computer simulation to investigate the passive safety of motorcyclists during such impact.
Crash scenario of motorcyclist remaining on an upright motorcycle and having direct collision with
guardrail was assumed.
 2.0 Method and Equipment

2.1 Methodology

Fig. 1 shows the flow chart of overall methodology of this project.

PREPARATION OF ROADSIDE BARRIER FOR MOTORCYCLIST SAFETY
PREPARATION
OF SUPPORT
FOR TEST

LITERATURE STUD

Impact Test
Tensile Strength Test
(RIG)

CONCLUSION DATA C
 Figure 1: Flow chart of overall methodology

Referring to Fig. 1, the project was started with literature study in order to identify any related
ideas carried out by researchers. Then, the roadside barrier for motorcyclist was designed. The
preparation of roadside barrier for motorcyclist was collected plastic bottle, sand and steel. First, 1/3 at
the top was cut and hole at the bottom of the bottle was made. Then, take the steel and the steel was
put into the hole of that bottle. One steel for three bottle. Attach the bottle to each other by using
silicon. After that, the left and right end of the nut was locked. Last step, the hole at the middle of
bottle was made and the bottle was filled with sand. After full, the hole was closed with tape.

Process to produced support for test is with cutting the wood and the wood was attached each
other until the shape become rectangular size length 70 cm, width 50 cm and height 16 cm. Figure 4
shown the roadside barrier for motorcyclist and support.

Figure 4

Data collected of impact test for roadside barrier for motorcyclist and tensile strength test for the
steel. The test is conducted in Jamilus Research Center (JRC). Figure 5 shows impact test of the
roadside barrier for motorcyclist. The method of data analysis was shown in graph and table. All the
processes is shown in appendix.
 Figure 5

2.2 Equipment

Bottle Steel
 Sand Silicon

Tape

3.0 Result And Analysis

Two samples were chosen for the impact test of roadside barrier as a result of the findings from the
real-world crash study. The result of the test shown in Table 1.

Sample 1 Sample 2

Time (s) Force (N) Time (s) Force (N)

0.005 0 0.1 0

0.105 0 0.2 0

0.205 0 0.3 0

0.305 0 0.4 0

0.405 0 0.5 0
0.505 0 0.6 0

0.605 0 0.7 0

0.705 0 0.8 0

0.805 0 0.9 0

0.905 0 1 0

1.005 0 1.1 0

1.105 0 1.2 0

1.205 0 1.3 -0.14

1.305 -0.04 1.4 -0.03

1.405 -0.09 1.5 0

1.505 0 1.6 -0.04

1.605 -0.05 1.7 -0.03

1.705 -0.05 1.8 -0.02

1.805 -0.05 1.9 -0.02

1.905 -0.05 2 -0.03

2.005 -0.05 2.1 -0.03

2.105 -0.05 2.2 -0.03

2.205 -0.05 2.3 -0.03

2.305 -0.05 2.4 -0.03

2.405 -0.05 2.5 -0.03

2.505 -0.05 2.6 -0.03

2.605 -0.05 2.7 -0.03

2.705 -0.05 2.8 -0.03

2.805 -0.05 2.9 -0.03

2.905 -0.05 3 -0.03

3.005 -0.05 3.1 -0.03

3.105 -0.05 3.2 -0.03

3.205 -0.05 3.3 -0.03

3.305 -0.05 3.4 -0.03

3.405 -0.05 3.5 -0.03

3.505 -0.05 3.6 -0.03

3.605 -0.05 3.7 -0.03

3.705 -0.05 3.8 -0.03

3.805 -0.05 3.9 -0.03

3.905 -0.05 4 -0.03

4.005 -0.05 4.1 -0.03

4.105 -0.05 4.2 -0.03

4.205 -0.05 - -

4.305 -0.05 - -

4.405 -0.05 - -

4.505 -0.05 - -

4.605 -0.05 - -

4.705 -0.05 - -

4.805 -0.05 - -

4.905 -0.05 - -

5.005 -0.05 - -

5.105 -0.05 - -

5.205 -0.05 - -

5.305 -0.05 - -

5.405 -0.05 - -

5.505 -0.05 - -

5.605 -0.05 - -

5.705 -0.05 - -

5.805 -0.05 - -

Table 1
Calculation:-

1. Velocity Sample, load = 100kg

velocity= 2 h

2 9.81 1.5

5.42m/ s

2. Actual Velocity, load =280 kg (motorcycle + driver)

velocity= 2 h

2 9.81 7000

370.59 m/s

3. Force Real = ma

= (200 + 80) x 370.59

= 0.104 x 106 kN

4. Total Force Sample 1 = 2.28 N

5. Total Force Sample 2 = 0.97 N

Force vs Time
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-0.01
-0.02
-0.03
-0.04
Force (N) -0.05
-0.06
-0.07
-0.08
-0.09
-0.1

Time (s)
 Graph 1: Sample 1 Response to an impact

Force vs Time
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
-0.02

-0.04

-0.06

Force (N) -0.08

-0.1

-0.12

-0.14

-0.16

Time (S)

Graph 2: Sample 2 Response to an impact

Referring from graph 1 and graph 2, both graphs are proved that sample 1 can bear 0.09 N and sample
2 can bear 0.14. So, this shown that the sample 2 had more force than sample 1. However, the samples
still cannot cope with the load carried by the motorcyclist because the value of velocity sample is less
than actual velocity. This is because of the materials, preparation and others. Other factor, the
connection between bottles is not attached properly. Second, left and right ends are not properly
reinforced to bear the imposed load. Lastly, the sand is uncompressed.

Sample 3

Sample 2

Sample 1

Sample after impact test

4.0 Conclusions

In the summary, this can be happen in reality when the quality and quantity of material is low not
follow the spec that allowed. However, this design can be realistic when factors that effected failure
the roadside barrier are avoided. This design can reduce costs in manufacturing roadside barrier and
can prevent the disposal of plastic bottles everywhere.

5.0 Acknowledgment

The authors would like to express deep thanks and gratitude to the supervisor, Universiti Tun Hussein
Onn Malaysia (UTHM), friends and lectures for encouragement and support that have been given
from beginning to success.

6.0 References

1. Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). (2003). Statistical Report on Road Accidents, Malaysia. Traffic
Branch, Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2. Radin Umar, R.S., Mackay, G.M., and Hill, B.L. (1995). Preliminary Analysis of Exclusive Motorcycle
Lanes along the Federal Highway F02, Shah Alam Malaysia. Journal of IATSS Research, 19(2), 93-98.

3. Roadside barrier and passive safety for motorcyclists, Ibitoye et al 2007.

4. Quyen Lea, Zuni Asih Nurhidayatib. (2016). A Study of Motorcycle Lane Design in Some Asian
Countries, Indonesia. Procedia Engineering 142 ( 2016 ) 292 298.

7.0 APPENDIX
 Sample guardrail
Attach the bottles

2 bottle finish attached wood for support test

 Test equipment
Ready to test

Sample after test