Reducing motorcyclist injuries: Engaging stakeholders to apply evidence-based countermeasures [R28]

One of the recent issues in transportation safety is the rise in fatalities and severe injuries among motorcyclists. Since motorcyclists are far more vulnerable than enclosed vehicle users on the road, they are substantially more likely to get injured in a crash. While evidence-based countermeasures are available, this research aims to shorten the implementation cycle in the translation of research into practice at the state level. Especially with insights and information from CSCRS-sponsored analysis of Motorcycle Crash Causation (MCCS) study data, this project aims to accelerate the research to deployment cycle. For this, statewide motorcycle safety plans provide a critical intervention opportunity. Such safety plans often identify risk factors and consider countermeasures. To identify risk factors, recent motorcycle crash data in Tennessee was analyzed. Then motorcycle safety practices across the United States and other countries were reviewed. Promising and new countermeasures such as enhancing rider conspicuity and motorist awareness, new personal protective gear, avoiding impaired driving, and rider education were matched with risk factors. Based on recent motorcycle crash data in Tennessee, 73.4% resulted in rider injuries, with 5.1% causing a fatality. Statistical analysis reveals that improper use of a DOT-compliant helmet is associated with severer injuries, compared with properly wearing a DOT-compliant helmet. Other injury risk factors were identified along with high-frequency motorcycle crash hotspots including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with tight curves and elevation changes. To further support planning efforts, a comprehensive review of motorcycle safety practices suggests that Tennessee can invest in efforts to carry out more robust media campaigns on motorcycle safety and increase communication with motorcyclists via online and printed materials. The findings from this project are a valuable reference for expeditious and timely translation of research into practice with the newest evidence-based countermeasures delivering innovative solutions. Based on input from practitioners, developing a Motorcycle Safety Clearinghouse can improve technology transfer, increase two-way information sharing between researchers and practitioners, and serve as a means to get research into practice much more quickly.

道路交通安全领域当前的突出问题之一，是摩托车骑手的死亡与重伤案例呈上升趋势。由于摩托车骑手相较于道路上的封闭舱室车辆驾乘人员更易受伤害，其在碰撞事故中受伤的概率显著更高。尽管目前已有循证干预措施，但本研究旨在缩短州级层面科研成果向实践转化的实施周期。依托由CSCRS资助的摩托车碰撞成因（Motorcycle Crash Causation, MCCS）研究数据集分析所得的洞见与信息，本项目旨在加速科研到部署的转化周期。为此，全州范围的摩托车安全规划提供了关键的干预契机。此类安全规划通常会识别风险因素并考量相应干预措施。为识别风险因素，本研究分析了田纳西州近期的摩托车碰撞事故数据，并对美国及其他国家的摩托车安全实践展开了综述。研究将提升骑手可见性与驾驶人关注度、新型个人防护装备、避免酒驾以及骑手安全教育等新兴且颇具前景的干预措施，与已识别的风险因素进行了匹配。根据田纳西州近期的摩托车碰撞事故数据，73.4%的事故造成骑手受伤，5.1%的事故导致骑手死亡。统计分析表明，相较于正确佩戴符合DOT标准的头盔（DOT-compliant helmet），未正确使用该类头盔与更严重的伤情存在显著关联。研究同时识别了其他伤情风险因素，以及事故高发的摩托车碰撞热点区域——包括弯道密集且海拔变化显著的大烟山国家公园（Great Smoky Mountains National Park）。为进一步支撑规划工作，对摩托车安全实践的全面综述显示，田纳西州可加大投入，开展更具力度的摩托车安全媒体宣传活动，并通过线上与印刷材料加强与摩托车骑手的沟通。本项目的研究成果可为快速且及时地将科研成果转化为实践提供宝贵参考，借助最新的循证干预措施提供创新性解决方案。结合从业者的反馈意见，搭建摩托车安全信息交换中心（Motorcycle Safety Clearinghouse）可优化技术转化流程，加强研究人员与从业者之间的双向信息共享，并成为加速科研成果落地实践的有效途径。