Perspectives for motorcycle stability control systems

On a global scale, motorcyclists are typically over-represented in crash statistics. This trend is increasing as although total road crashes and fatalities have decreased over the last fifteen years, motorcycle crash volumes have not. This paper describes the potential of stability control systems to help save motorcyclists’ lives. It summarizes safety research conducted and commissioned by the Federal Highway Research Institute (Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen, BASt) during the last twenty-five years, with particular focus on the authors’ own work in the last five years, and the state of the art in motorcycle control systems.The conclusion is that further investigation and improvement of these systems should be encouraged. Unfortunately, active stabilization of motorcycles is not presently possible and may not be possible in the future. Therefore, further development, evolution and optimization of Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABSs) and Traction Control Systems (TCS) should be undertaken, and Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABSs) should be mandatory on powered two-wheelers. These steps will make the powered two-wheeler a safer urban transportation system.