Brussels, Belgium April 11, 2013
Brussels, Belgium April 11, 2013
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
by Myrko Bellmann
Volkmann & Rossbach, Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Severity of tree accident
• Tree accidents are amongst the most severe accidents than happen on roads
• Does a driver loose control over his vehicle, obstacles next to the road are hit with a comparatively high terminal velocity
• Cars are not developed for impacts on rigid obstacles
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Impact Speed on single obstacles
Deviation Angle
Distance to obstacle (Initial Speed 100km/h)
2 m 4m 6m 8m
8° 99 km/h 98 km/h 96 km/h 85 km/h
15° 99 km/h 99 km/h 98 km/h 98 km/h
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Common Crash Test Layouts
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Tree Crash Test
• Initial Speed 44,8 km/h• Impact Speed 39,9 km/h• Deceleration 98 g• Dummy strain:
thorax s=39 mmpelvis a3ms=47,63 ghead a3ms=37 gneck Mby=27 Nm
• Pillar intrusion 415 mm
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Tree Accidents in Germany
• Tree accident data seperatly processed since 1995
• In 2011, tree accidents were responsible for approx. 8% of all serious injuries and 20% of all fatalities in road accidents
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Fatalities in extra‐urban areas
• On rural roads, nearlyone third off all fatalities happen after an impact with a tree
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Total Tree Fatalities
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Esimated/Average Accident Cost
Estimated Costs of Injuries (per Person)
Fatality 1.035.165 €
Serious Injuries 110.506 €
Other Injuries 4.403 €
Average Property Damages (per Accident)
Fatal Accident 40.242 €
Accident with serious injury 19.436 €
Accident with slight injury 12.775 €
Heavy accident with propertydamage only 19.035 €
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Numbers of Tree Accidents
Rural Road Accidents 1995
SeriousProperty Damage
Personsinjured
Personskilled
Total
Total Accidents 130.732 388.003 9.454 518.735
Impact Obstacle 41.328 69.667 5.763 116.758
Impact Tree 7.824 24.916 2.284 35.024
Total Costs of Tree AccidentsSerious Property Damage 148.929.840 €Injuries 3.237.634.872€Fatalities 2.364.316.860 €
TOTAL 5.842.794.300 €
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Possible measuresThe German Insurance Research Group (GDV) as well as the German Automobilist Association (ADAC) recommend three possible measures to reduce therisk of tree crashes:• Reduction of Speed Limits (German standard limt:
100 km/h) • Free space on road sides (by avoiding to plant new
tree or by cutting existing trees)• Install Crash Barriers at critical spots
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Pillar Crash Test without/with Crash Barrier
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Tree Crash Test with Crash Barrier
• Initial Speed 44,8 km/h• Impact Speed 40 km/h• Deceleration 19,7g• Dummy strain:
thorax s=11,8 mmpelvis a3ms=4,77 ghead a3ms=29 gneck Mby=4,4 Nm
• Pillar intrusion: none
Myrko Bellmann Volkmann & Rossbach/Germany
Brussels, Belgium April 11, 2013