Assessing the Impact of Vehicle Weight on Road Safety

Ipsita PhD Banerjee and Julia B. PhD Griswold

Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings from Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley

Abstract: Since 2009, pedestrian fatalities have risen by 80%, which mirrors the increase in the average weight of vehicles accompanying the rising popularity of SUVs and pickup trucks. Additionally, many modern safety and environmental technologies, including those in electric vehicles, contribute to increased vehicle weight. Heavier vehicles generate greater kinetic energy, which can lead to a higher risk of fatalities and serious injuries in crashes. This research synthesis examines the relationship between vehicle weight, design, and safety for road users, particularly pedestrians. However, not all studies find a statistically significant link between vehicle weight and pedestrian injuries, possibly because even lighter vehicles already weigh so much more than pedestrians. Existing research indicates that vehicle design is a more critical factor. For example, the higher front ends of light trucks are more likely to strike a pedestrian's upper body and abdomen, causing more severe injuries than the lower front ends of sedans, which typically impact the legs. Our findings suggest that design changes, such as lowering front-end heights and adding safety features, would be more effective in reducing risks to pedestrians from vehicle crashes.

Keywords: Engineering; Traffic safety; Vehicle weight; Vehicle front end; Vehicle factors in crashes; Crash injuries; Fatalities; Vulnerable road users (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-10-01
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