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A Comparison of European and American Test Devices and Test Parameters for Lateral Impacts
Technical Paper
856088
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
European and American side impact research efforts are directed
toward the realization of further increases in existing levels of
passive safety. Because side impact accident experience here and
abroad exhibits many similarities, governments of the European
community and the United States should cooperate and agree on a
common test procedure including common test devices and test
parameters.
Within this context, Volkwagen studied the deformable side
impact barriers presently under discussion in the United States and
Europe. The results of this comparative study are presented. In
addition to this comparison, the comparative evaluations of dummies
and human subjects by the German Research Association for
Automobile Technology (Forschungsvereinigung
Automobiltechnik-(FAT)) as well as the Thoracic Trauma Index (TTI)
developed by NHTSA are discussed.
With these investigations, Volkswagen demonstrates that the
European CCMC deformable element mounted on the chassis of the
NHTSA crabbed barrier constitutes a valuable basis for further
research efforts with respect to a common European and American
test device for 90° lateral impact testing that cannot be
ignored. The comparison of loads and kinematics of human subjects
and dummies examined demonstrates that the biofidelity of dummies
must be improved to be suitable as a test device for lateral impact
testing. Because of the present lack of a suitable side impact
dummy and absence of correlation between dummy loadings and
occupant injury, research activities must continue so as to be able
to assess the effectiveness of vehicle measures in realworld
impacts.