Elderly passengers are being advised to avoid standing on buses after new research showed they can sustain severe injuries even during relatively mild braking or acceleration.
The researchers found that passengers over 65 showed a high rate of injury on urban buses following falls after losing their balance.
Mechanical engineering lecturer in Dublin University Ciaran Simms, lead researcher on the project, said the study shows the risk to elderly people standing on public transport.
"I think most people would be surprised that we found that quite serious injuries can occur under braking that is not very severe," he said.
As part of the study researchers monitored the braking and acceleration patterns of a number of buses in Dublin as they approached bus stops and traffic lights.
The researchers also factored in the diminished reaction time, strength and reflexes of someone over 65 and circumstances where the passenger had not yet reached their seat before the bus pulls off, and when the passenger has left their seat to alight.
They found that elderly passengers start to lose their balance and fall over at 0.16g, which is the equivalent of a bus travelling at 20km/h stopping within 10 meters. This is relatively mild braking and would not be used during an emergency stop.
The extent and nature of the injuries caused by passengers falling can be seen from a group of 120 people who presented at six Irish medical centres for injuries sustained on a bus.
Of this group 56 per cent were over 55 years of age and four out of five were injured while either standing or moving on the bus or coach.
More than half the injuries happened under acceleration or braking with 28 per cent of injuries sustained when getting on or off the bus.
