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The safety of electric scooters (e-scooters) are issued frequently. Because of the structure of the e-scooter, it is highly affected by the road environment owing to its small wheels; therefore, most e-scooters fall down alone. Therefore, we aim to identify the factors that affect driving characteristics of e-scooter according to the road type. Additionally, risk factors by speed level were analyzed according to the social trend of lowering the maximum speed. In this study, the driving characteristics according to the road environment were derived for vehicle lanes and bicycle/pedestrian paths through actual vehicle driving, and risk factors were compared according to speed levels. Risk factors were set as road environmental factors that the participants judged to be dangerous while driving, and correlations between driving characteristics and risk factors were determined using multiple regression analysis. Driving instability increases with speed on all roads, and the risk factors for each road type are derived differently. We verified the necessity of lowering the maximum speed on all roads. Additionally, this study presents risk factors based on speed level for various road types and reflects the human factor of users along with the driving characteristics of e-scooters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, micro-vehicles have been increasingly involved in urban mobility following the actual trend towards light, more affordable, and eco-friendly means of transportation. Among this vehicle category, the electric kick scooters (e-scooters) represent the most popular example driven by app-based sharing mobility services. Despite the positive implications, poor safety requirements and issues of discomfort are also related to this new segment. The recent spread of e-scooters is motivating the scientific community in investigating performance and ride comfort, in the attempt of improving vehicle design and safety regulations. The aim of this study is to evaluate e-scooter vibrations in driving in a realistic environment, constituted by bike path with seven speed bumps. Fourteen healthy young participants (seven males and seven females) are asked to conduct the test at two different constant velocities ( 5 km/h and 25 km/h). Accelerations are acquired at the main human body segments as well as on the e-scooter. The assessment is based on identifying maxima and root mean squares from signal time histories. A non-parametrical statistical analysis is performed focusing on vibrations transmitted from vehicle to human body, e-scooter velocity, and some rider's characteristics such as gender, mass, dominant arm, and dominant foot. Root mean squares and tests at low velocity generally underline a larger number of significant differences. Moreover, the parameter which mostly influences the system is the rider's mass. Overall, the proposed methodology proves to be an efficient tool to investigate the vehicle-rider vibrational influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present research aimed to compare the different types of fractures to those caused by e-scooter use as well as reveal the severity of e-scooter injuries via an epidemiological analysis of fractures over the course of 6 months. Methods: This retrospective study assessed medical records of patients with fractures or dislocations admitted to a Turkish level three trauma centre emergency orthopaedic department between June 2021 and January 2022. Using a two-group design, the first group encompassed all fractures and dislocations treated, while the second focused on e-scooter-related cases. Comparative analysis covered fracture patterns and factors within the e-scooter group, like demographics, injury mechanism, and timing. Surgical need and types were explored for e-scooter injuries. Results: Among 4481 upper extremity fractures, finger fractures (27.47%) and distal radius fractures (25.37%) were common, while e-scooter-related cases exhibited radius and ulna shaft fractures (23.07%). Of 2400 lower extremity fractures, toe fractures (30.2%) and metatarsal fractures (19.66%) predominated, with e-scooter-related injuries largely featuring metatarsal fractures (30%). The surgery rate in all patients was 8.92%, whereas the surgery rate specifically for e-scooter injuries was 48.2%. Significantly greater occurrence of lower extremity fractures was evident in e-scooter-related injuries compared to upper extremities (p = 0.011). Collisions involving stationary or moving objects were linked to injuries in the lower extremities, whereas falls were primarily associated with injuries in the upper extremities. Treatment included surgery (48.2%) and conservative management (52.8%), with ORIF (35.7%) and CRIF (10.7%) utilised. Conclusion: E-scooter-related fractures and dislocations are typically more severe, often requiring surgery, compared to other fractures during the same period. The study emphasises the link between injury type and increased risk of lower extremity fractures or dislocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Since the introduction of e-scooters in Germany in 2019, they are becoming more and more popular and associated injuries have increased significantly. The aim of this study was to assess the injury patterns after e-scooter accidents. Materials and Methods: From May 2019 to October 2022, all consecutive patients who presented at our emergency department (ED) following e-scooter accidents were included in our study and retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 271 patients were included in our study. The mean age was 33 years. 38% of the patients were female and 62% were male. Most common injuries were traumatic brain injuries in 38% of the patients together with fractures affecting the upper limb (17%). An operative treatment was necessary in 40 patients. Most of the patients presented at night and about 30% were under the influence of alcohol. Conclusions: Our study shows one of the largest cohort of patients suffering e-scooter accidents in Europe. Compulsory helmet use, stricter alcohol controls and locking periods could contribute significantly to safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featuring rapid adoption rates in recent years, personal standing scooters, as a micromobility, represent a missing complement to the first and last mile of public transport. This paper examines intermodal trips involving private (e-)scooters and trains with the objective to investigate the influence of this intermodal combination on station catchment areas. The methodology is based on the analysis of existing scientific research and empirical evidences. The case study focuses on access data from 12 railway stations collected by SNCF Réseau in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in September and October 2020. Main findings of this secondary analysis, based on 53 passengers using this personal device, suggest an over-representation of male and younger users, with very frequent intermodal practices mainly dedicated to work or study, and a feeder distance between combined walking and cycling. There appears to be similarities between bike-and-ride and scoot-and-ride but also clear distinctions that characterize this emerging mode, among which the fact that scooter is almost always used both during access and egress stages. This article advocates that station areas should be better considered by redesigning the surrounding public spaces to better balance the space of each mode, in favour of alternatives to the car and sustainable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite electric scooter use has proliferated in Italy since 2019, actionable data regarding injury incidence and patterns associated with electric scooter accidents are limited. This study aims at analyzing the rate, clinical, and demographic features of electric scooter accidents accessed to the Emergency Department (ED) of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS (Rome, Italy). This retrospective study included all patients older than 18 years riding an electric scooter in the ED from June 2019 to April 2022. Personal data, injury circumstances, helmet use, and health data were collected. Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) codes of all diagnoses were recorded, and the Injury Severity Score (ISS) was calculated for each patient. The analysis includes 92 patients admitted to the ED due to an e-scooter accident during the study period, with an increase in years. Thirty-two patients presented bone fractures especially concerning the extremities and the face districts. The median Injury Severity Score in the study cohort was 3, with the highest AIS represented by AIS Pelvic-Extremity and AIS External. Moreover, statistical significance was found between AIS Head-Neck and severity of trauma. E-scooters have become a familiar sight in cities worldwide recently, with many new companies renting them for use. But their arrival has also brought new safety concerns. Although most injuries reported are minor, the meager rate of helmet use is critical. Implementing compulsory helmet use for electric scooters for all ages could be a protective factor for being patient with head trauma on urban streets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Several studies tried to discuss and clarify the so-called Mellanby effect: Similar blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) supposedly lead to more signs of impairment in the phase of alcohol resorption than elimination. To assess this effect for alcoholised e-scooter driving, results of a real-driving fitness study were subanalysed. Methods: Sixteen subjects (9 females; 7 males) who completed runs at comparable BACs in the phases of alcohol resorption and elimination were chosen to assess a possible "Mellanby effect". The data of the subjects was taken from a prior e-scooter study by Zube et al., which included 63 subjects in total. Results: In the phase of alcohol resorption, the relative driving performance was approx. 92% of the phase of elimination (p value 0.21). Statistically significant more demerits were allocated to the obstacle "narrowing track" in the phase of resorption than elimination. Subjects also needed significantly more time to pass the obstacles "narrowing track", "driving in circles counterclockwise" and "thresholds" in the phase of resorption than elimination. Discussion: The most relevant obstacle to discriminate between the two different states of alcoholisation was the narrowing track. Insofar, measurements of the standard deviation of the lateral position (SDLP) might also be a sensitive component for the detection of central nervous driving impairment during shorter trips with an e-scooter. Additionally, driving slower during the phase of alcohol resorption seems to be the attempt to compensate alcohol-related deficits. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest a slight Mellanby effect in e-scooter drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the effects of alcohol on the ability to drive an e-scooter, driving tests reflecting real-life situations accompanied by medical examinations focusing on balance were conducted at different blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). Methods: Fifty-seven subjects who consumed alcohol (28 female, 29 male) and 6 consistently sober subjects (3 female, 3 male) participated in the study. Alcohol was administered on a fixed schedule, and the individual drinking quantity was individually calculated in advance using the Widmark formula. Repeated runs through a fixed course were performed. Following each ride, a blood sample was taken for BAC determination, and medical tests were performed. Results: Even at low BACs (0.21–0.60 g/kg), subjects showed a significant decrease in driving performance, to approximately 60% of the initial level. Differences in driving performance at different BAC ranges were observed for different obstacles, especially for the narrowing track, gate passage, slalom, and driving in circles obstacles. Furthermore, worse Romberg and Unterberger test results were correlated with worse driving performance. It cannot be assumed that learning effects during the study had a relevant effect, as shown in the comparison of the driving performance of the alcohol-consuming group with that of the control group. Sex-specific differences were not found. Discussion: Significant deteriorations in driving performance at BACs below 1.10 g/kg confirmed alcohol-related risk potential when using e-scooters. At this time, these findings may lead to the assumption of "relative driving impairment" in Germany. The Romberg and Unterberger tests could be considered a complementary investigation method for the assessment of e-scooter driving impairment. Conclusion: Even at rather low BACs between 0.21 and 0.40 g/kg, there was a significant deterioration in driving performance under the influence of alcohol compared to sober, which highlights the negative effects of alcohol on e-scooter driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Electric scooters (e-scooters) have become popular within a short time. With its growing popularity, the number of admissions to emergency services due to e-scooter injuries has also increased. In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical and demographic characteristics of e-scooter injuries applied to our emergency department. Methods: In this study, demographic data of e-scooter injuries, injury type and pattern, usage of the helmet and protective clothing, and pathological findings, which were detected as a result of injury, were analyzed retrospectively. Results: We analyzed 70 e-scooter injuries (mean [SD] age 25.82 ± 8.04 years; 52.9% male). The most common reasons for admission to the emergency department were soft tissue trauma with a rate of 45.7% (n = 32) and head trauma with a rate of 40% (n = 28). Based on the performed examinations, orthopedic fractures and sprains were detected in 18.5% (n = 13) of the patients, while maxillofacial fractures were detected in 11.4% (n = 8). Helmet use was detected in 4.3% (n = 3) of e-scooter users, while 2.9% (n = 2) of the patients had a blood alcohol level of > 10 mg/dl. In our patient group, 4.3% (n = 3) were transferred to the ward and 1.4% (n = 1) to the intensive care unit. Conclusions: We consider that serious injuries can be prevented by establishing legal regulations regarding the use of e-scooters and determining the appropriate routes for e-scooters, hence making e-scooters a safer means of transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Micro-mobility provides a solution for last mile problem and e-scooter sharing systems are one of the most heavily adopted micro-mobility services. The increasing usages of e-scooters make it necessary to analyze the possible effects of the vibrations transmitted to the drivers. Purpose: This research has studied for the first time the e-scooter vibrations effects on drivers comfort and health for the actual range of circulation speeds, that can exceed 25 km/h. Methods: Based on experimental measured stiffness of two different e-scooter wheels and Multibody dynamic simulations, several statistical models have been obtained following the standard UNE2631. Results: The results show that for a common e-scooter and a road profile with a very good-good roughness level, a velocity of 16 km/h starts to be uncomfortable and for 23 km/h could be harmful for health, for short trip durations. Derived from the statistical models, a new way of measuring the roughness has been proposed and that will be one of the future works to adjust and validate it. Conclusion: E-scooter suspension systems (front suspension and wheels) must be improved under human comfort and health point of view. Furthermore, results suggest the necessity of study the vibrations effects on real e-scooters due to the maximum speed they can reach is greater than 25 km/h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Unfallchirurg is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)