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Announcements for SAE Mobilus

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WCX 2026 Technical Papers are Now Available
New technical papers from WCX 2026 are now live on SAE Mobilus® The latest technical papers from WCX 2026 are now available to search and download on SAE Mobilus®. Covering topics across safety, vehicle performance, AI-driven design, advanced powertrain, materials, and software, this collection delivers timely research relevant to today’s ground vehicle engineering priorities. Browse the latest papers to access expert-authored technical insight supporting today’s engineering, testing, and development priorities. — The Mobilus Team
Important Update – Accessibility Enhancements on SAE Mobilus
We’re pleased to share that SAE Mobilus has recently completed a comprehensive set of accessibility improvements across the platform. As a result, Mobilus is now aligned with WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards in most key categories. These updates are part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the platform is accessible to all users. Enhancements include improvements to keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, visual contrast, error handling, and overall usability across core areas of the site. An updated Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT v2.5 – March 2026) is now available, providing a detailed overview of our accessibility conformance. You can access the VPAT directly within the Help section. Accessibility is a continuous effort. We will continue to evaluate and improve the platform to better support all users and meet evolving standards. If you have any feedback or experience any accessibility issues, we welcome your input. - The SAE Mobilus Team
SAE AI Chat — Update and What's Next
* Important Update - SAE AI chatbot Beta program * The SAE AI Chatbot Beta program - Phase 1 will end on March 31, 2026. Following this date, the AI chatbot capabilities will be temporarily unavailable as we begin development of a significantly enhanced version. We sincerely thank all Phase 1 Beta participants for their engagement and valuable feedback - your insights have played an important role in shaping the next phase of this experience. The upcoming version of the SAE AI Chatbot will expand content coverage beyond current standards, incorporating additional critical resources from our digital library. It will also be made available to a broader audience across Mobilus. Want to be part of what's next? Register your interest here to receive updates and be considered for early access. For additional information, visit the FAQs. — The Mobilus Team
SAE International Digitization and AI Policy
SAE International prohibits the entry of SAE Content into any form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, OpenAI, or Microsoft Copilot. Additionally, creating derivatives of SAE Content using AI is also prohibited without express written permission from SAE International. In the case of such use, SAE International will suspend access to SAE Content, and further legal action will be considered.
Welcome to the new SAE Mobilus®
  Welcome to the new era of SAE Mobilus®, redesigned with a modern, intuitive web interface featuring enhanced search capabilities to help you stay informed and easily discover content. Login today: To access content within your subscription and make the most of the platform, please log into your subscription and your personal My Library (sign up is free) located in the top right corner of the screen.   Key Features Intuitive User Interface: We've listened to our customers and tied this to the best practices in the industry to offer an improved, intuitive, and desirable website experience for our users.​ Improved In-app Discoverability: Enhanced search and expanded menu featuring search suggestions that allow for quick discovery of content.​ Announcements: Stay up to date on new features through a dedicated announcements page. Most recent announcements also get featured on the homepage.​ Enhanced Browse capabilities: Browse through over 200,000 publications that are now classified into categories commonly used across the industry. Deep-dive further into any topic or sub-topic of interest to make the most for your corporate projects or research.​ Smart Automation: "Meta Tags" on each result will help you find content related to your search.​ My Library: My dashboard is rebranded as My Library with powerful features to help you make the most out of the platform Mobile Friendly: Upgraded navigation on mobile devices​ Training Available SAE’s Customer Success team is dedicated to delivering the best platform experience possible. Through monthly trainings and short, on-demand video tutorials, find answers to your questions here: SAE Mobilus Spotlight training - Available monthly, hosted live by SAE’s Customer Success team Mobilus Minute – 2-minute videos, available on-demand   Need some troubleshooting help? Access our FAQs by visiting our Help section: https://saemobilus.sae.org/help/home Resources to help you navigate the new platform are available here, where you can find links to quick start guides and video tutorials on features like My Library, Announcements, Saved Search, Login and new features. Have feedback that you'd like to share with us? Please submit your feedback to the Mobilus team through the blue Knowledge bot in the bottom right hand corner of the new platform.

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Recent SAE Edge™ Research Reports

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Wing-in-Ground Effect Vehicles: From Modern Military and Commercial Development to Global Disaster ResponseEPR202501711/24/2025
The wing-in-ground effect (WIG) vehicle represents a significant advancement in aerodynamics and vehicle design, leveraging the ground effect phenomenon to enhance lift and reduce drag when flying close to the surface. This unique capability allows WIG vehicles to achieve higher payloads, longer range, and greater fuel efficiency compared to traditional aircraft, making them an attractive option for modern military and global disaster response applications. Wing-in-Ground Effect Vehicles: From Modern Military and Commercial Development to Global Disaster Response discusses future disaster response, logistics, and military applications for WIG vehicles, including the ongoing development of aerospace and transportation technology. Relavant advancements in materials and propulsion systems holds promise for further enhancing WIG performance and operational range. Additionally, cost-effective and powerful flight computers with various types of mission-enabling sensor suites from the
Next-gen AI for Aerospace EngineeringEPR20250169/22/2025
Despite growing investments, the widespread adoption and scalable deployment of generative artificial intelligence (AI) remains a challenge due to data trustworthiness, regulatory uncertainty, interpretability, and ethical governance. The need to accelerate automation and maintain the human-in-the-loop demonstrates broader questions of responsibility and transparency. Next-gen AI for Aerospace Engineering investigates the transformative role of GenAI within aerospace engineering, examining its shift from conventional workflows toward more AI-driven solutions in design, manufacturing, and maintenance. It emphasizes GenAI’s emerging ability to automate repetitive mundane tasks, reduce design complexity, and optimize engineering pipelines. The report underscores the need for validation methods that must align AI-generated outputs with physics-informed models, integration with legacy engineering tools (e.g., computational fluid dynamics, finite element analysis, digital twins), and
Sustainable Circular Future Mobility: Environmental Impact of Next-gen VehiclesEPR20250159/22/2025
The next generation of mobility, driven by shared, driverless, connected, and electrified vehicles, holds strong potential to advance sustainability through lower emissions and improved resource efficiency. However, critical questions remain regarding their true environmental impact, including battery lifecycle management, material consumption, and circular manufacturing practices. Sustainable Circular Future Mobility: Environmental Impact of Next-gen Vehicles explores these unresolved issues, focusing on the shift from internal combustion to electric vehicles, supply chain challenges, regulatory gaps, and the operational realities of sustainable productization. It also critically examines the risks of greenwashing, the need for consistent standards, and the role of intersectoral collaboration—with energy, urban planning, information and communications technologies, and waste management sectors—in building resilient, scalable solutions. The report provides strategic recommendations and
Small, Mobile, and Autonomous Agricultural RobotsEPR20250128/13/2025
The automation of labor-intensive picking and planting operations is having an immediate impact in the agricultural indutry. In its simplest form, robotic automation can reduce the labor and soil disturbance while enabling organic soil cover and increasing species diversification through precision approaches to planting, weeding, and spraying. With this, pesticides and fertilizers can be applied in a more targeted way, and with machinery visiting fields more frequently, earlier and more targeted intervention can occur before pests become established. Small, Mobile, and Autonomous Agricultural Robots identifies issues that need to be resolved fo for this technology to thrive, including improving methods of acquiring and labeling training data to facilitate more accurate models for specific applications. It also discusses concepts such as general-purpose mechanical platforms for use as carriers of agricultural automation systems with high stability, positional accuracy, and variable
Safety Impacts of Active Safety and Driving Automation FeaturesEPR20250138/13/2025
Advanced technologies that assist the human driver or reduce (or even eliminate) the human driver’s role are becoming increasingly prevalent in new light-duty vehicles used by the general public. These technologies are divided between Active Safety features that monitor the human driver and vehicle motion and act intermittently to mitigate and avoid crashes, and Driving Automation features that assume some or all of the dynamic driving task from the human driver. Both types of technologies have the potential to reduce injuries and save lives by reducing the frequency and/or severity of crashes. Safety Impacts of Active Safety and Driving Automation Features addresses the current capabilities and future potential for Active Safety and Driving Automation features to reduce crash frequency and severity and provides an overview of the state of the industry for both types of features, including current deployments, trends, and anticipated rollouts. Gaps in knowledge, unsettled issues, and
Hybrid Data- and Physical Model-driven Safe and Intelligent Motion Planning and Control for Autonomous VehiclesEPR20250147/18/2025
Autonomous vehicle motion planning and control are vital components of next-generation intelligent transportation systems. Recent advances in both data- and physical model-driven methods have improved driving performance, yet current technologies still fall short of achieving human-level driving in complex, dynamic traffic scenarios. Key challenges include developing safe, efficient, and human-like motion planning strategies that can adapt to unpredictable environments. Data-driven approaches leverage deep neural networks to learn from extensive datasets, offering promising avenues for intelligent decision-making. However, these methods face issues such as covariate shift in imitation learning and difficulties in designing robust reward functions. In contrast, conventional physical model-driven techniques use rigorous mathematical formulations to generate optimal trajectories and handle dynamic constraints. Hybrid Data- and Physical Model-Driven Safe and Intelligent Motion Planning and
Product Assurance in the Age of Artificial IntelligenceEPR20250115/21/2025
Driven by the vast consumer marketplace, the electronics megatrend has reshaped nearly every sector of society. The advancements in semiconductors and software, originally built to serve consumer demand, are now delivering significant value to non-consumer industries. Today, electronics are making inroads into traditionally conservative, safety-critical sectors such as automotive and aerospace. In doing so, electronics—now further propelled by artificial intelligence—are disrupting the functional safety architectures of these cyber-physical systems. Electronics have created the world of cyber-physical systems, raising broader concerns about the broader category of product assurance. Product Assurance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence continues the work of previous SAE Edge Research Reports in examining open research challenges arising from this shift, particularly in automotive systems, as core electronic technologies (e.g., the combination of software and communications) have even
Leveraging Advanced Data Technologies for Smart Traffic ManagementEPR20250085/20/2025
The transportation industry is transforming with the integration of advanced data technologies, edge devices, and artificial intelligence (AI). Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are pivotal in optimizing traffic flow and safety. Central to this are transportation management centers, which manage transportation systems, traffic flow, and incident responses. Leveraging Advanced Data Technologies for Smart Traffic Management explores emerging trends in transportation data, focusing on data collection, aggregation, and sharing. Effective data management, AI application, and secure data sharing are crucial for optimizing operations. Integrating edge devices with existing systems presents challenges impacting security, cost, and efficiency. Ultimately, AI in transportation offers significant opportunities to predict and manage traffic conditions. AI-driven tools analyze historical data and current conditions to forecast future events. The importance of multidisciplinary approaches and
Edge Artificial Intelligence in Connected, Cooperative and Automated MobilityEPR20250095/20/2025
With many stakeholders involved, and major investments supporting it, the advancements in automated driving (AD) are undoubtedly there. Generally speaking, the motivation for advancing AD is driver convenience and road safety. Regarding the development of AD, original equipment manufacturers, technology start-ups, and AD systems developers have taken different approaches for automated vehicles (AVs). Some manufacturers are on the path toward stand-alone vehicles, mostly relying on onboard sensors and intelligence. On the other hand, the connected, cooperative, and automated mobility (CCAM) approach relies on additional communication and information exchange to ensure safe and secure operation. CCAM holds great potential to improve traffic management, road safety, equity, and convenience. In both approaches, there are increasingly large amounts of data generated and used for AD functions in perception, situational awareness, path prediction, and decision-making. The use of artificial
Automated Vehicles and Infrastructure Enablers: Dedicated LanesEPR20250074/24/2025
Dedicated lanes provide a simpler operating environment for ADS-equipped vehicles than those shared with other roadway users including human drivers, pedestrians, and bicycles. This final report in the Automation and Infrastructure series discusses how and when various types of lanes whether general purpose, managed, or specialty lanes might be temporarily or permanently reserved for ADS-equipped vehicles. Though simulations and economic analysis suggest that widespread use of dedicated lanes will not be warranted until market penetration is much higher, some US states and cities are developing such dedicated lanes now for limited use cases and other countries are planning more extensive deployment of dedicated lanes. Automated Vehicles and Infrastructure: Dedicated Lanes includes a review of practices across the US as well as case studies from the EU and UK, the Near East, Japan, Singapore, and Canada. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio.

Latest Journal Issues

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Passenger Vehicle Systems
SAE International Journal of Passenger Vehicle Systems
Electrified Vehicles
SAE International Journal of Electrified Vehicles
Advances and Current Practices in Mobility
SAE International Journal of Advances and Current Practices in Mobility
Sustainable Transportation, Energy, Environment, & Policy
SAE International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, Energy, Environment, & Policy
Connected and Automated Vehicles
SAE International Journal of Connected and Automated Vehicles
Transportation Cybersecurity and Privacy
SAE International Journal of Transportation Cybersecurity and Privacy
Vehicle Dynamics, Stability, and NVH
SAE International Journal of Vehicle Dynamics, Stability, and NVH
Transportation Safety
SAE International Journal of Transportation Safety
Alternative Powertrains
SAE International Journal of Alternative Powertrains
Commercial Vehicles
SAE International Journal of Commercial Vehicles
Engines
SAE International Journal of Engines
Aerospace
SAE International Journal of Aerospace
Materials and Manufacturing
SAE International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing
Fuels and Lubricants
SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants
Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems
SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems

Recent Books

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Variable Compression Systems for Future Engines and FuelsR-5534/30/2026
Variable Compression Engines: Enabling Net Zero explores variable compression ratio (VCR): one of the most promising—and historically elusive—advancements in internal combustion engine (ICE) technology. Long recognized for its thermodynamic benefits, VCR has challenged engineers for decades due to its mechanical complexity. Today, as the global mobility landscape demands ever higher efficiency, lower emissions, and greater fuel flexibility, VCR has emerged as a viable and transformative solution. This book delivers a comprehensive and authoritative examination of VCR technology, quantifying its efficiency and CO2-reduction potential while surveying the wide range of mechanisms conceived, developed, and tested over more than a century of engine innovation. By combining historical insight with modern analysis, the authors reveal the remarkable ingenuity of past and present engine designers—and demonstrate that VCR is not only feasible, but increasingly essential. Positioned squarely
Aerospace Standards Index - 2026ASIN20262/25/2026
This valuable resource lists all Aerospace Standards (AS), Aerospace Recommended Practices (ARP), Aerospace Information Reports (AIR), and Aerospace Resource Documents (ARD) published by SAE. Each listing includes title, subject, document number, key words, new and revised documents, and DODISS-adopted documents. AMS Index - Now Available!
Business Reliability Growth for Automotive Engineering, Volume 4R-5522/17/2026
In a world where every business process is under pressure to perform faster, safer, and more reliably, this book delivers a powerful roadmap for sustained operational excellence. Centered on the proven methodology of Design of Experiments (DOE), it shows how organizations can move beyond reactive problem-solving to systematic reliability growth. From well-defined standard operating practices to management-level decision-making, the book connects strategy, data, and execution to create repeatable, measurable results across the enterprise. Readers are guided through practical, real-world applications of DOE, from selecting the right factors and levels to executing robust experiments, analyzing outcomes, validating solutions, and continuously monitoring performance. Each chapter translates complex statistical and engineering concepts into actionable business value, helping teams improve quality, reduce waste, and increase return on investment. Key capabilities explored in this book
January 2026 AMS IndexAMSJAN-20261/24/2026
Fundamentals of Sustainable Aviation FuelsR-5471/22/2026
As global energy demands rise and environmental challenges intensify, the aviation industry faces a critical need to redefine how it powers the skies. Fundamentals of Sustainable Aviation Fuels presents a comprehensive, research-driven exploration of the transition from fossil-based fuels to renewable alternatives that promise to reshape the future of air transportation. This book bridges the gap between academic knowledge and industrial application, offering a detailed overview of the science, technology, and policy driving the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs). From understanding feedstocks and conversion pathways to evaluating production technologies, emissions performance, and life-cycle impacts, the text equips readers with a holistic understanding of SAFs within today’s global energy landscape. Across five insightful chapters, readers will find a clear roadmap: the evolution and importance of SAFs; production methods and technological foundations; environmental
SAE International’s Dictionary of ADAS and Connected VehiclesR-5591/20/2026
The convergence of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and connected vehicle technologies is ushering in a transformative era of automotive innovation—one that is fundamentally enhancing vehicle safety, efficiency, reliability, and the overall driving experience. SAE International’s Dictionary of ADAS and Connected Vehicles stands as the definitive reference for this rapidly evolving domain, meticulously compiled to clarify and standardize the language shaping modern mobility. Inside, readers will find clear, authoritative definitions encompassing the full spectrum of technologies that enable connected and automated driving—including vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems. This comprehensive resource translates complex engineering terminology into accessible language, enabling engineers, researchers, policymakers, educators, and enthusiasts to share a common technical foundation. Reflecting the latest
Safety, ADAS, and Cybersecurity: Vol. 4EPRCOMPV01202512/29/2025
Electrification: Vol. 3EPRCOMPV04202512/29/2025
Infrastructure Enablers for Automation: Vol. 4EPRCOMPV02202512/29/2025
Automated Vehicles: Development, Testing, and Validation: Vol. 4EPRCOMPV03202512/29/2025

Recently Published

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Visual–Language Model–Driven Annotation and Analysis of Maneuver Data for Enhanced Vehicle Safety09-14-01-00325/4/2026
Vehicle maneuver data are essential for perception and planning in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving systems (ADS). While high-quality annotations improve machine-learning performance, existing maneuver datasets remain fragmented, labor-intensive to annotate, and inconsistent in semantic richness. Challenges persist in scalability, interpretability, and contextual labeling. This article establishes a structured framework for maneuver data analysis by combining a systematic review of existing resources with the development of a new multimodal dataset. First, we conduct a systematic review of publicly available datasets such as HDD, KITTI, BDD-X, D2CAV, Brain4Cars, DrivingDojo, and the Driving Behavior Database. We further evaluate the data modality and sensor configurations including event data recorders, onboard logging systems, and smartphone sensing. We then propose the Matt3r Data Collection System with modern metadata management, which integrates video
Bai, Ling, Yuan, Chongyu, Osman, Islam, Lin, Zirui, Mirab, Ghazal, Saheb, Amir, Parnian, Neda, Shapiro, Evgeny, Shehata, Mohamed S., Liu, Zheng
The Effect of Initial Foot Position on THOR-50M and THOR-05F Lower Leg Response in a Realistic Vehicle Buck09-14-01-00085/4/2026
This study aims to explore and evaluate the effect of various foot positions on the kinematic and kinetic response of the lower extremity during frontal crashes using a realistic vehicle interior. Frontal impact sled tests were performed with the Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint, 50th-percentile Male (THOR-50M) and Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint, 5th-percentile Female (THOR-05F) anthropometric test device (ATD) in the driver’s seat of a midsize SUV testing buck (with realistic interior components including an instrument panel with steering wheel and steering wheel airbag, seat, three-point seat belt with pretensioner and force-limiter, accelerator pedal, brake pedal, knee airbag, and seat belt retractor pretensioner). Six sled tests were performed in two principal directions of force (PDOF) [three each in frontal (0°) and oblique (−20°) configurations]. The right foot was positioned on the accelerator pedal, fully on the brake, and half on the brake. A single test was
Noss, Junior, Donlon, John-Paul, Morris, Anna, Samier, Germain, Park, Joseph, Forman, Jason
Biomechanical Responses and Injuries of Male Post-Mortem Human Subjects in Rear-Facing Frontal Impacts with Unreinforced Airbag-Equipped Production Seats09-14-01-00305/4/2026
Previous rear-facing post-mortem human subject (PMHS) studies utilizing a reinforced seat have prompted questions as to whether the seat could have been a contributing factor to the severe rib and pelvis injuries observed in those experiments. In response, a recent PMHS study used an unreinforced seat in a similar experiment, which was expected to mitigate severe injuries by dissipating energy from seatback deformations. However, the PMHS tested in the unreinforced seat sustained even more severe rib fracture numbers than in the reinforced seat. No studies have investigated how additional variables (i.e., countermeasures) may influence rib fractures in high-speed rear-facing frontal impacts (HSRFFI). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of an airbag-equipped seat (AES) on male PMHS responses and injuries. Rear-facing sled tests were conducted using five mid-size male PMHS seated in the AES at ΔV of 56 km/h: PMHS1 with no airbag as a baseline, PMHS2 with a seatback airbag
Kang, Yun-Seok, DeWitt, Timothy, Wensink, Timothy, Marcallini, Angelo, Jung, Yong Hyun, Lee, Dong Gil, Harm, Jae Jun, Ko, Seokhoon, Hunter, Randee, Agnew, Amanda M.
Validation of Vehicle-Based Injury Severity Prediction Using Crash Telemetry Data09-14-01-00095/4/2026
Subaru has developed vehicle-based Injury Severity Predictions (ISP) models using data from the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) covering calendar years 1999–2015, for integration into Advanced Automatic Collision Notification (AACN) systems. This study evaluates the accuracy of these ISP models by comparing predictions derived from Subaru vehicle telemetry with actual Injury Severity Scores (ISS) of transported occupants. Two crash databases were utilized: Subaru Telematics Assisted Accident Research (STAAR) data for calendar years 2021–2024, which includes Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) data, police reports, emergency medical services (EMS), and medical records from the medical centers across Michigan; and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data for calendar years 2021–2023, matched with ACN data to supplement serious injury cases. ISS values were obtained from medical records in STAAR, while fatal cases in FARS were
Ejima, Susumu, Zhang, Peng, Cunningham, Kristen, Wang, Stewart
Injury and Kinematics of Obese PMHS in Frontal Impacts with Reclined Seating09-14-01-00035/4/2026
Objective: This study investigated injury outcomes and body kinematics in obese occupants exposed to frontal impacts while seated in reclined postures. With increasing interest in non-traditional seating configurations and a growing population of obese vehicle occupants, the objective was to evaluate how seat stiffness and restraint features influence injury patterns and whole-body excursions. Methods: Nine obese post-mortem human surrogates (PMHS; mean age: 64 years, stature: 1.70 m, body mass: 102 kg, BMI: 35 kg/m2) were tested under frontal impact conditions simulating a delta-V of 50 kph. All specimens were seated on a spring-controlled seat with a 45° reclined seatback and restrained by a three-point belt system with pretensioner and load limiter. Three configurations were evaluated: (1) stiffer seat, (2) softer seat, and (3) stiffer seat with a knee bolster 100 mm from the knees. Each subject underwent one test. Whole-body kinematics were captured using a VICON motion analysis
Somasundaram, Karthik, Yoganandan, Narayan, Pintar, Frank
Interactions of Rear-Facing Child Restraints in Frontal Crash Tests09-14-01-00105/4/2026
The aims of this study were to investigate the kinematics of child anthropomorphic test devices in a large sample of rear-facing child restraint system installations and the effects of anti-rebound features and load legs on the kinematics of rear-facing child anthropomorphic test devices. The test matrix included a general sample of 70 rear-facing child restraint system installations to observe trends in frontal crash tests; 14 full-scale crash tests with paired comparisons to investigate the effect of anti-rebound features; and five paired comparisons of rear-facing child restraint systems installed with and without a load leg. The paired t-test was used to determine the statistical significance of differences in kinematic responses. In the general sample, 84% of anthropomorphic test devices in infant seats with the base in outboard seats interacted with the first-row seat. In 52% of tests, the anthropomorphic test device head directly contacted the front seatback. Head accelerations
Tylko, Suzanne, Tang, Kathy
Regional-Specific Patterns of Abdominal Injury in Belted Male and Female Frontal Crash Occupants: Insights from Redefined Anatomical Mapping09-14-01-00025/4/2026
Research Question/Methods The study examined abdominal injuries of 87 belted occupants in CIREN frontal crashes for sex-based differences in abdominal injury patterns. It introduced a more anatomically detailed method for identifying injury locations in an abdominal-pelvic region that includes skeletal structures. The study introduces and applies a novel Abdominal New Injury Severity Score (AbNISS) to address limitations of traditional AIS coding in capturing sex-based differences in injury patterns. The operative reports/EDR/imaging data in CIREN cases enabled identification of sex-specific crash outcomes. The dominant analytical motif is Betrand Russel’s knowledge by acquaintance and definite descriptions. Results Females had a higher rate of moderate to severe abdominal injuries than males: Only females sustained AIS 5 injuries, lumbar Chance fractures, posterior pelvic arch injuries, and more AIS 2, 3, and 4 injuries, with more injuries in superior-mid, left-superior, and medial
Halloway, Dale, Curry, William, Somasundaram, Karthik, Pintar, Frank
Characterization of Fatal Cyclist Collisions Involving Nine Vehicle Types Traveling at Low and High Speeds in Japan09-14-01-00055/4/2026
To reduce traffic fatalities through vehicle safety measures, particular attention must be given to cyclist-related fatalities. Clarifying the characteristics of hazardous events leading to cyclist fatalities, not only by vehicle speed range but also by vehicle type, is essential and should be based on analyses of real-world accident data. Accordingly, this study aimed to characterize fatal cyclist accidents involving vehicles traveling at low and high speeds in Japan. We used macro accident data from the Japanese Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis covering the period from 2013 to 2022. Based on nine vehicle types, we investigated the effects of road type, vehicle behavior, and accident type on cyclist fatalities. Additionally, we identified the five most frequent accident scenarios separately for each low- and high-speed category. At signalized intersections, the proportions of cyclist fatalities involving vehicles traveling at low speeds were higher than those
Matsui, Yasuhiro, Oikawa, Shoko
Driver Understanding of Yellow Indication Laws and Preferences for Configuration of In-Vehicle Alerts for Dilemma Zones09-14-01-00065/4/2026
Drivers frequently encounter Type II dilemma zones at signalized intersections, where the decision to stop or proceed during the onset of a yellow indication can be ambiguous. Decision-making relies on drivers’ expectations of the yellow change interval duration and behavioral factors. While boundaries of these zones are well studied, less is known about how familiar drivers are with their local yellow indication laws, which vary from state to state, and whether their typical reactions to yellow indications align with the laws. Existing interventions like signal timing adjustments, improved vehicle detection, and advance warning signs reduce the number of drivers caught in dilemma zones but may not reach distracted drivers. In-vehicle alerts tailored to dilemma zone scenarios are a potential solution not yet implemented widely in North America. This study addresses how drivers may interpret these alerts. A web-based survey of 640 licensed drivers in Michigan and Washington (ages 18–85
Anderson, Erika, Jashami, Hisham, Ahmed, Ananna, Hurwitz, David
Characterization of Front Row Occupants Involved in Motor Vehicle Crashes Compared to ATDs and the U.S. Population09-14-01-00275/4/2026
Currently, adult anthropomorphic test devices used in regulatory and consumer information crash testing in the United States are targeted to represent a small female (5th percentile) and an average male (50th percentile). The anthropometry determined previously might not represent the current population, or as investigated in the current study, those that are at least moderately injured during a motor vehicle crash. The objective of this study was to use field data to determine if the current frontal anthropomorphic test devices are representative. Data from the National Automotive Sampling System–Crashworthiness Data System (2010-2015) and Crash Investigation Sampling System (2017–2023) were queried for sex, age, size, and injury information for front seat occupants in frontal crashes. Additional datasets used were from the National Trauma Data Bank and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to field data, the most frequently injured female and male is approximately
McNeil, Elizabeth, Atwood, Jonathan, Rudd, Rodney, Craig, Matthew
Geometric Variabilities and Their Effects on Impact Responses in Midsize Male and Female Occupants09-14-01-00255/4/2026
The objective of this study is to use parametric human body models (HBMs) to understand how geometric variability among individuals who have the same sex, stature, and body weight may affect the impact responses and injury outcomes, using midsize male and midsize female populations as representative cases. Methods were developed to quantify skeletal and external body surface variations using principal component analysis, regression, and residual error analysis. Based on this analysis, nine midsize male and nine midsize female geometric models were created, focusing on ribcage and pelvis variations, which account for most of the observed variability. These geometries were then applied to morph the simplified Global Human Body Model Consortium (GHBMC) midsize male model, producing 18 distinct HBMs. Each morphed HBM was subjected to nine impact scenarios, resulting in a total of 162 simulations to assess the effects of geometric variability. Substantial geometric variation was observed in
Hu, Jingwen, Lin, Yang-Shen, Boyle, Kyle, Khandare, Sujata, Bonifas, Anne, Reed, Matthew P., Hasija, Vikas
Rear-Impact Crash Injury Patterns and Predictors: Insights from Contemporary CISS and CIREN Field Data09-14-01-00295/4/2026
The objective of this study was to investigate occupant injury patterns and predictors in rear-impact crashes using recent US field data. Cases were queried from the Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS, 2017–2023) and the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN, 2017–2024), yielding 1923 front-row outboard occupants from 1533 crashes. Crash documentation and vehicle photographs were manually reviewed to classify seatback deformation magnitude and secondary impact severity. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated associations between occupant, vehicle, and crash characteristics and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 2 and AIS ≥ 3 injury outcomes across body regions. Sensitivity analyses included CISS-only, weighted, single-event, and interaction models. Thoracic injuries were further subdivided into skeletal and cardiopulmonary categories. Findings reflect associations within the pooled CISS + CIREN analytic sample rather than nationally representative injury
Lockerby, Jack, Rudd, Rodney
Modification and Validation of a Finite Element Model of a Pedestrian Dummy09-14-01-00125/4/2026
Aims of the research This study aims to modify the lower body (the pelvis, thigh, and leg) of the mid-sized male pedestrian dummy FE model by considering the latest version of the physical dummy and to evaluate both the accuracy by comparing test results of the past studies and the biofidelity specified in SAE J2782 in both component and full-scale validations. Methods 1 Component validation The validation of the modified pelvis model was performed in dynamic lateral compression simulations. The sacrum and the pubis force-deflection responses of the iliac or the acetabulum impact were measured. The modified thigh and leg models were evaluated in a dynamic 3-point lateral bending simulation, measuring the force-deflection responses. The results from the simulations were compared with test results and the biofidelity requirements. 2 Full-scale validation The whole-body model was updated by incorporating these modified component models. The model of the generic buck developed for the
Asanuma, Hiroyuki, Gunji, Yasuaki, Mori, Fumie, Nagashima, Akiko
SAE Level 2 ADAS Performance in Specific Crash-Imminent Scenarios09-14-01-00155/4/2026
This research examined the performance of SAE Level 2 (L2) advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in crash-imminent scenarios (CIS), with particular attention to how vehicle configuration like body style and powertrain (internal combustion engine, plug-in hybrid, electric vehicle) influences vehicle system performance. The objectives were to (1) identify CIS relevant to L2-equipped vehicles using crash databases and naturalistic driving studies (NDSs), (2) develop scenario-based test procedures and test matrices, and (3) evaluate system and vehicle responses across configurations and conditions. Multiple crash data sources were analyzed, including NHTSA’s Standing General Order dataset of L2-related crashes, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the Crash Report Sampling System, and NDS data from the Second Strategic Highway Research Program and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute L2 NDS. Coded variable analyses from the datasets identified three common CIS: lane and road
Beale, Gregory, Kefauver, Kevin, Venegas, Michael, Li, Eric, Chen, Jay, Huggins, Steven, Guduri, Balachandar, Llaneras, Eddy
Machine Learning–Driven Safety Analysis of Automated Vehicles in Simulated Mixed Traffic Environments09-14-01-00215/4/2026
Automated Vehicles (AV) pose new challenges in road safety, multimodal interaction, and urban planning, requiring a holistic approach that prioritizes sustainability and protects all road users. The KASSA.AST project addresses this by deploying and evaluating an automated shuttle in southern Austria on three routes. The study area is a Park & Ride zone near a train station, enabling seamless transfers and higher transit use. To assess the safety impacts of the automated shuttle, four Mobility Observation Boxes (MOBs) were deployed. These AI-based systems detect and classify road users, track their trajectories and geospatial coordinates, and identify safety-critical events via Surrogate Safety Measures (SSMs). Over 10 days, a trajectory dataset captured interactions among vehicles and the shuttle. The resulting real-world dataset is a core contribution. This dataset underpins microscopic behavior modeling. Trajectory pairs yield car-following and interaction metrics (relative distance
Losada Arias, Ángel, Rosenkranz, Paul, Hula, Andreas, Aleksa, Michael, Saleh, Peter, Erdelean, Isabela
Effects of Vehicle Speed, Category, and Front-End Design on Full-Body Injury Risks of a Midsized Male Pedestrian09-14-01-00175/4/2026
This study investigated how vehicle front-end geometry, impact speed, and vehicle category influence injury risk to a midsize male pedestrian. Eighty-one generic vehicle (GV) models representing sedans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), pickup trucks, and minivans sold in the United States were developed by morphing three base models using an automated pipeline. Front-end parameters that were varied included ground clearance (GC), bumper height (BH), hood leading-edge (HLE) height, hood length (HL), bumper lead angle (BLA), hood angle (HA), and windshield angle (WSA). Each vehicle impacted the Global Human Body Models Consortium 50th percentile male simplified pedestrian (GHBMC M50-PS) model at 30, 40, and 50 kph, totaling 243 simulations. Boundary conditions followed the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) pedestrian test protocol. Thirty-five injury metrics were extracted across the head, neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and lower extremities. Linear mixed-effects regression
Poveda, Luis, Miller, Logan E., Edwards, Colin C., Pollock, Madeline, Armstrong, William M., Hsu, Fang-Chi, Gayzik, Scott F., Weaver, Ashley A., Stitzel, Joel D., Devane, Karan S.
Assessing Injury Prediction with Human Body Models: Application to Rib Fracture Risk Prediction Using SAFER HBM09-14-01-00235/4/2026
As a consequence of the introduction of mathematical human body models (HBMs) in consumer information programs, there is an increased need for reliable methods that can demonstrate and build trust in the capability of HBMs to predict human response and injury risk in crashes. Therefore, a framework for validation of strain-based injury prediction is proposed. The framework comprises stepwise validation with the final step to validate the utility of risk predictions by means of the area under the curve (AUC) combined with Brier scores. SAFER HBM V11.1.0 previously validated at component and body part levels was selected for the demonstration of the final step of the framework to validate the capability to predict fracture risk in frontal, oblique, and lateral loading. For frontal loading, five postmortem human surrogate (PMHS) test series with 43 PMHS (age range: 19–88 years) were reconstructed. The predicted rib fracture risk for 2+ and 3+ fractured ribs was compared to the number of
Pipkorn, Bengt, Niranjan Poojary, Yash, Osth, Jonas, Larsson, Karl-Johan, Iraeus, Johan
Comparative Analysis of Thoracic Injury and Causative Factors across Sexes in Serious Frontal Motor Vehicle Collisions in the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network Database09-14-01-00315/4/2026
This study investigated sex-specific differences in thoracic injury prevalence, causation, and rib fracture patterns among seriously injured occupants in frontal motor vehicle collisions. Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) data from 2005 to 2022 included 793 front-seat occupants aged 16 years and older with Abbreviated Injury Scale 2+ thorax injury, representing 1802 thoracic injuries. Injuries were grouped as rib fracture, sternum fracture, hemo/pneumothorax, lung injury, heart injury, and other. A weighted scoring system captured contributions of involved physical components to each injury. Logistic and linear regression with generalized estimating equations assessed sex associations with injury presence and causation. Two models were estimated: a comprehensively adjusted model including demographic, crash, vehicle, restraint, and airbag deployment, and a simplified model adjusting for age, body mass index, delta-V, and occupant role. Among occupants with AIS 2
Armstrong, William, Devane, Karan, Hsu, Fang-Chi, Heilmann, Nina, Sink, Joel, Miller, Anna N., Kiani, Bahram, Martin, R. Shayn, Stitzel, Joel D., Weaver, Ashley
An Investigation of Drowsy Lane Departures from Driving Simulator Studies09-14-01-00145/4/2026
NHTSA is conducting research to evaluate the current state-of-the-art technology for lane departure warning (LDW) and lane-keeping assistance (LKA) technology. NHTSA is undertaking research to understand the nature of real-world lane departures and recovery behaviors. While some information about lane departures can be learned from crash datasets, the purpose of this work was to mine simulator datasets for lane departures, analyze them in greater detail than is possible from crash reports or naturalistic studies, and link their characteristics to driver drowsiness. The objective of the study was to determine whether there are differences in lane departure characteristics as a function of driver drowsiness. This research used a novel approach by combining data from six different driving simulator studies on driver drowsiness. The dataset included a sample of 380 drivers. Study drives occurred during overnight hours after periods of sleep deprivation, with participants being awake for at
Schwarz, Chris, Gaspar, John, Shull, Emily, Venegas, Michael
Are Drivers More Distracted with Level 2 Automated Technologies? A Naturalistic Driving Study Analysis of Frequency, Duration, and Proportion of Time Drivers Engage in Secondary Tasks09-14-01-00285/4/2026
This project was designed to better understand how the activation of SAE International Level 2 (L2) system features affect the duration of secondary task engagement. Four naturalistic driving datasets were used: one that included drivers without L2 experience, two that included drivers with L2 experienced, and one that included drivers of L0 vehicles. Dependent variables that were assessed include frequency of secondary tasks, duration of secondary task, and proportion of time that drivers engaged in cell phone tasks when L2 systems were active compared to when L2 systems were available but inactive. Results suggest that both the frequency and proportion of time drivers engaged in secondary tasks were significantly higher when L2 systems were active compared to when systems were available but inactive. Drivers without L2 experience took longer to perform tasks involving the center stack/instrument panel compared to experienced L2 drivers. These results suggest that drivers demonstrate
Klauer, Sheila, Dunn, Naomi, Anderson, Gabrial T., Barnes, Ellen, Han, Shu, Fincannon, Thomas, Weaver, Starla
Feature Reduction for Scenario-Based Safety Assessment of Automated Driving Systems09-14-01-00185/4/2026
Vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS) have the potential to significantly reduce road collisions. To enable widespread adoption of ADSs, rigorous safety assessment is essential. Valuable insights for ADS safety validation can be gained by simulating scenarios across a broad range of feature variations. A common challenge in simulating these scenarios is known as the curse of dimensionality, where increasing the number of scenario features requires a near-infinite number of simulations to cover all variations. This issue of complexity presents a need for reducing scenario features. Most related work focuses on identifying important scenario features, while few evaluate how reducing these features impacts ADS failure estimation. The present study aims to address this gap by employing a wide range of feature reduction methods and assessing their effect on ADS failure estimation. Previous research generated datasets for three distinct scenario categories by performing
Lankhorst, Bram, de Gelder, Erwin, Janssen, Christian P., Scholich, Andre
Front-Row Seatback Contact for Pediatric Occupants Seated in Rearward-Facing Infant Child Restraint Systems during Frontal Crashes09-14-01-00195/4/2026
Using a subset of the Transport Canada dataset of rearward-facing CRS in full-frontal rigid barrier vehicle tests, the aim of the current study was to evaluate CRS and/or ATD head contact with the front-row seatback and categorize the contribution to the peak ATD head acceleration. For 33 cases of ATDs seated in rearward-facing CRS models installed in the second-row outboard seats across 19 vehicle tests, high-speed video footage was analyzed to identify instances and timings of CRS and/or ATD head contact with the front-row seatback. The timing of contact was compared to the ATD head acceleration time history to identify instances of “contributory contact” with the front-row seatback, which was defined as contact occurring before the ATD head acceleration was within 10 g of the peak. ATD contributory contact cases involved both the ATD head and CRS contacting the front-row seat, whereas CRS contributory contact cases involved only the CRS, but not the ATD head, contacting the front
Patton, Declan A., Tang, Kathy, Tylko, Suzanne, Arbogast, Kristy B.
The Impact of Transition Window Duration on Nominal Transitions of Control in Conditional Automation09-14-01-00165/4/2026
The objective of this research was to understand the impact of transition window duration on success and performance during nominal transitions from conditional driving automation (SAE level 3). Because the driver can be disengaged from driving when conditional driving automation is engaged, the central challenge is how to safely transition from automated control to human control. Past research from the literature on Level 3 Automated Driving Systems (L3 ADS) has focused on safety-critical event responses (e.g., responding to a hazard) and on automation that operates at high speeds, which is not representative of the systems currently deployed that operate in lower-speed traffic jam situations [4, 5]. This article presents an analysis of data from several transition-of-control studies with conditional driving automation in a high-fidelity driving simulator. A range of transition window durations were compared, and different transition-of-control behaviors were coded from video data
Gaspar, John, Ahmad, Omar, Schwarz, Chris, Fincannon, Thomas, Jerome, Christian
Characterization of Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking Acceleration in Modern Light Vehicles: Potential Implications for Occupant Safety09-14-01-00075/4/2026
The objective of this study was to characterize and compare pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) pulses in modern light vehicles to understand the loading environment that vehicle occupants are being exposed to during PAEB maneuvers. PAEB tests (n = 8008) conducted using 2018–2023 vehicle model years were analyzed. Pulse, vehicle, and impact characteristics (e.g., jerk, peak acceleration, pedestrian scenario, etc.) were derived from each PAEB test. Two k-means clustering analyses were used to group PAEB pulses with and without target collisions based on their similarity between characteristics. One-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed on the PAEB pulse characteristics to examine differences between clusters (p < 0.05). Two non-collision clusters (NC1 and NC2) were identified for PAEB pulses without collisions: NC1 had a statistically significant lower jerk (0.8 ± 0.4 g/s) and peak acceleration (1.0 ± 0.1 g) compared to NC2 (1.6 ± 0.8 g/s and 0.9 ± 0.1 g
Witmer, Maitland, Kidd, David, Graci, Valentina
Assessing the Influence of Reclined Vehicle Seatback Configurations with and without a Belt-Positioning Booster on Child Posture via Pressure Mapping09-14-01-00045/4/2026
Objective: This study sought to implement pressure mapping methodology to assess variation in children’s center of force positions in reclined vehicle scenarios. Methods: Thirty-four children between 4 and 12 y (8.1 ± 2.0 y) were statically evaluated on a vehicle seat across two seating conditions (with and without a backless booster) and three seatback recline conditions (25°, 45°, and 60°). Center of force was recorded using pressure sensors attached to the seating surface. Average center of force fore/aft positions were calculated and transformed into the vehicle coordinate system using 3D coordinate measurements. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess variation in center of force position across seating and recline conditions, with subject included as a random effect. Results: Center of force fore/aft position varied (p < 0.05) with recline condition, seating condition, and the recline/seating condition interaction term. On the booster, the average
Baker, Gretchen H., Connell, Rosalie R., Graci, Valentina, Mansfield, Julie A.