ATV Safety

Agricultural All-Terrain Vehicle Safety

 

We developed an ATV safety test station for experimental evaluations of ATV stability and the performance of various roll bar designs on agricultural ATVs. CDC/NIOSH funded this project as part of the Western Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (WCAHS)'s five-year competitive renewal.

The study includes extensive infrastructure development, including a tilt table, autonomous ATVs, crash test terrain, crash tests, and extensive fieldwork to evaluate different models of ATVs and roll bars. The study includes four sections:

 

Static Stability

  • Static stability is measured using wireless scales and digital inclinometers to determine ATV stability under different types, locations, and amounts of loads.

  • This helps identify potential tipping points before an ATV becomes unstable.

Static
Figure 1. Tilt Table Setup for Static Stability Testing of Agricultural ATVs

 

Dynamic Stability

  • Dynamic stability is measured using a sensing setup that includes IMU, and optical encoder under several tests, including J-turn, bump, and circular driving tests.

  • This helps identify potential tipping points before an ATV becomes unstable.
     

Dynamic
Figure 2. Dynamic Stability Testing Using IMU and Optical Encoders

 

Rollover Simulation (Experimental)

  • Use real ATVs in controlled environments to test rollover risks under different conditions (e.g., speed, load, terrain).

  • Helps in evaluating the effectiveness of protective devices and rider safety techniques.
     

Exp
Figure 3. Controlled Rollover Simulation with Real ATVs

 

Rollover Simulation (Computational)

  • Used computer simulations to predict the rollover risk

  • Helps in providing recommendations for safer operational conditions for agricultural ATV users
     

Comp
Figure 4. Computational Simulation of ATV Rollover Scenarios