Introduction:
Sledging is a popular winter sport in Austria, but its risks are often underestimated. High speeds and difficult braking on hard and icy sledge tracks lead to a high number of collisions that often cause serious injuries. In particular, collisions with fixed obstacles such as trees can result in life-threatening injuries even at low speed of 10 km/h, as shown in a computer simulation study by the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV) and the Technical University of Graz (2020).

Objectives:
To reduce the number of sledging collisions, the aim was to find and implement a simple solution that enables the sledgers to brake more effectively.

Methods:
With a submission of a prototype of a handbrake for sledges for the KFV research award, a promising solution for shorter braking distances has been found. To evaluate the effectiveness and usability of this innovative braking system, a field test has been conducted. In a next step four sledging resorts across Austria were equipped with these new safety tools, to increase awareness of sledging area operators and their guests. Simultaneously data was collected by the use of guided interviews and a standardized online survey, in order to evaluate the roll-out.

Results:
The results of the field test show that sledge brake assistants can significantly reduce the braking distance of recreational sledgers. Compared to braking with only the feet, the braking distance can be reduced by up to 50%. The surveyed sledgers rated the braking effect as well as the usability of this new safety tool well. The feedback of the sledging area operators was overall positive.

Conclusion:
Brake assistants enable recreational sledgers to reduce the braking distances significantly and therefore reduce the number of dangerous collisions. As the feedback of sledging area operators and the surveyed recreational sledgers was very positive, we expect that more and more winter sport resorts will invest in this new safety measure and the number of severe injuries will be reduced.

Keywords: Sledging, Tobogganing, Sledding, Brake Assistant, Hand Brake, Collisions

KFV (Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit) - Vienna - Austria