Course detail

Road Vehicles Safety

ÚSI-EDBVSAcad. year: 2025/2026

The content of the subject is aimed at obtaining crucial knowledge of the construction and function of particular elements of passive and active safety of vehicles and motorcycles.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Bc. Marek Semela, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Forensic Engineering (ÚSI)

Entry knowledge

Not required

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

A credit obtaining based on results of a written test.
Not applicable.

Aims

The study aims of the course are to obtain elementary expert knowledge of particular safety features of modern vehicles and motorcycles, and to acquaint students with research tendencies in terms of the road traffic vehicles safety beyond the scope of elementary knowledge.
The student will obtain the knowledge of construction and function of particular elements of passive and active safety of vehicles and motorcycles that are necessary for the following activities in the field of automobile technology.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

BACKFISCH, K., P. Das groβe Raifenbuch: Technik – Sicherheit – Fahrdynamik – Tuning. Königswinter: HEEL Verlag GmbH, 2006. ISBN 978-3-89880-656-5. (CS)
BRACH, R.,M., BRACH, R., M. Vehicle accident analysis and reconstruction methods. Warrendale: SAE International, 2011. ISBN 978-0-7680-3437-0. (CS)
BURG, H., MOSER, A. Handbuch Verkehrsunfall-rekonstruktion: Unfallaufnahme, Fahrdynamik, Simulation. Wiesbaden: GWV Fachverlage GmbH, 2009. ISBN 978-3-8348-0546-1. (CS)
COSSALTER, V. Motorcycle dynamics. USA: Vittore Cossalter, 2006. ISBN 978-1-4303-0861-4. (CS)
HOFFMANN, A., W. Don’t be a Dummy: A Primer on automotive safety by an engineering expert fitness. New York: iUniverse, 2009. ISBN 978-1-4401-3556-9. (CS)
HOUGH, D., L. More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the ride. Irvine: Bowtie press, 2003. ISBN 1-931993-03-3. (CS)
HOUGH, D. Street strategies: A survival guide for motorcyclists. Singapore: BowTie Press, 2001. ISBN 1-889540-69-2. (CS)
HUANG, M. Vehicle Crash Mechanics. Boca Raton: CRS Press, 2002. ISBN 0-8493-0104-1. (CS)
IENATSCH, N. ROBERTS, K. Sport riding techniques: How to develop real Word skills for speed, safety and konfidence on the street and track. Phoenix: David Bull Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-893618-07-2. (CS)
KRAMER, F. Passive Sicherheit von Kraftfahrzeugen: Biomechanik – Simulation – Sicherheit im Entwicklungsprozess. Heidelberg: FROMM MediaDesign, 2009. ISBN 978-3-8348-0536-2. (CS)
KÜHN, M., FRÖMING, R., SCHINDLER, V. Fuβgängerschutz: Unfallgeschehen, Fahrzeuhhestaltung, Testverfahren. Berlin: LE-TEX Jelonek, Schmidt & Vöckler GbR, Leipzig, 2007. ISBN 3-540-34302-4. (CS)
PARKS, L. Total control: High performance street riding techniques. Minneapolis: MBI publishing company, 2003. ISBN 978-0-7603-1403-6. (CS)
PETERS, G., A., PETERS, B., J. Automotive vehicle safety. Warrendale: Society of Automotive Engineers, 2002. ISBN 0-7680-1096-9. (CS)
REIF, K. Automobileelektronik: Eine Einführung für Ingenieure. Berlin: AZ Druck und Datentechnik, 2012. ISBN 978-3-8348-1498-2. (CS)
SEIFFERT, U., WECH, L. Automotive Safety Handbook. Warrendale: SAE international, 2003. ISBN 978-0-7680-1798-4. (CS)
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Guide to motorcyclling excellence: Skills, knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right. New Hampshire: Whitehorse Press, 2005. ISBN 978-1-884313-47-9. (CS)
VLK, F.: Automobilová technická příručka. Brno 2003. (CS)
VLK, F.: Stavba motorových vozidel. Vlastním nákladem, Brno 2003. (CS)
VLK, F.: Teorie a konstrukce motocyklů 1,2. Vlastním nákladem. Brno 2004. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme EID_P Master's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

22 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Bc. Marek Semela, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Chassis: axles, suspension, shock-absorbers, steering and its effect on handling
2. FWD, RWD, AWD: front axle drive, rear axle drive, all-wheel drive and their effect on handling
3. Brakes: different types of brakes, brake systems, the effect of a defect on the vehicle’s stability
4. Electronic safety systems I.: ABS (anti-block system), ESP (electronic stability programme), ASR (anti-slip regulation)
5. Electronic safety systems II. : MSR (Motor Drag Torque control / Engine Braking Regulation), EDL (Electronic Differential Lock), EBV (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation), BA (Brake Assist)
6. Tyres: construction, types, marking and defects. The effect of tyres and their pumping on handling
7. Lamps: types of lamps and their effect on visibility. Night vision – function of the night vision systems and their effect on road safety
8. Passenger safety: car body construction elements influencing passenger safety at crash cabin ergonomics, airbags, safety belts and head restraints. Biomechanical limits of human body at crash. Passive safety testing: frontal crash, side impact, side collision with a lamp post
9. Pedestrian safety: active bonnet, airbags, the material and construction of the bonnet, the vehicles front geometry, safety glazing, and passive pedestrian protection test – HIC criterion
10. Motorcycle tyres, motorcycle brakes and their effect on road safety
11. Motorcycle chassis, electronic safety systems and their effect on road safety
12. Elements of passive protection with a motorcycle – airbags, motorcycle overalls, pads, helmets, and riding style and techniques