Online Petition Against Motorcycle Barrier

POSITION PAPER ON THE MOTORCYCLE BARRIER

In connection with the implementation of the Joint Task Force Covid requirement to install a motorcycle barrier as a measure to prevent the spread of the Covid19 virus between the riders, the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) hereby submits its position on this measure as approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force and for implementation effective July 26, 2020.Our position is based on the science and engineering of how air interacts with moving bodies, or in the engineering community, we call it fluid dynamics or aerodynamics. Based on our analysis, the barrier may contribute negatively to safety, health, economy and environment.

1. Safety. With the barrier attached either to the motorcycle, to the rider, or being held by the backrider, this compromises the safety of the motorcycle and the riders in general. When the motorcycle is in motion, the barrier will contribute to the change of the designed allowable aerodynamic forces (drag and lift) which will compromise the stability of the motorcycle. This will place the safety of the riders at risk.

2. Health. With the barrier attached when the motorcycle is in motion, the front side of the barrier builds up pressure while creating turbulence and suction behind the barrier. This will not guarantee that the barrier will be effective in protecting both riders from the spread of air particles to each other.

3. Economy and Environment. The attached barrier increases the air resistance of the motorcycle when in motion. This directly affects the economy of the motorcycle resulting to increase in fuel consumption which contributes to the increase in emission and air pollutants which ultimately affects the environment.

IN ESSENCE, THE PSME BELIEVES THAT THE BARRIER CANNOT SERVE AS A HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURE TO PROTECT THE RIDERS FROM COVID19. INSTEAD, IT MAY COMPROMISE SAFETY, HEALTH, ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

Sgd. JEFFREY F. SINGSON,
PhD, PME, ASEAN Engr.
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers

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