Evaluation of Motorcycle Helmet Test Procedures

Bendig, Colleen; Wietholter, Kedryn

doi:10.21949/qfky-yp73

i

Evaluation of Motorcycle Helmet Test Procedures

2026-04-01
By Bendig, Colleen ; Wietholter, Kedryn

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Bendig, Colleen ; Wietholter, Kedryn
Corporate Creators:

United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Vehicle Research and Test Center ; National Transportation Research Center, Inc.
Corporate Contributors:

United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:

FMVSSS No. 218 Motorcycle Helmets Motorcycles Performance Tests Test Procedures
Publication/ Report Number:

DOT HS 813 782
DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21949/qfky-yp73
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States
Edition:

Final Report
Corporate Publisher:

United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Abstract:

FMVSS No. 218, Motorcycle helmets, specifies minimum performance requirements for helmets used by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users. FMVSS No. 218 has three performance test types that have remained largely unchanged since it was first published in 1973: an impact attenuation test, a penetration test, and a retention system test. In 2013 NHTSA initiated a helmet testing research program with compliance test labs. Based on this testing, adjustments were made to the test procedures and were evaluated in this study. NHTSA’s testing in this report aimed to (1) assess the feasibility of conducting modified FMVSS No. 218 tests and other performance tests, and (2) evaluate the repeatability of each of the modified test procedures assessed. Six helmet models were tested in six test types. Two of the test types were based on tests included in FMVSS No. 218, while four of the test types were based on tests included in international standards.
Format:

PDF
Collection(s):

NHTSA - Vehicle Safety Research
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:8de74ffe11de36995f27172447f48fc158e3599824dd17528aaa41ca29237f212b7ac4998b0d19d70307e8e2698a9904e80fd519904d2ef5f7b207872c27be18
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/89792/dot_89792_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 7.40 MB ]

File Language:

English

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