This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Occupant Injury Patterns in Crashes with Airbag Equipped Government Sponsored Cars
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
In 1983, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated two air hag vehicle fleet programs. The objective was to demonstrate that both original equipment and retrofit air bag systems operate in vehicles as intended. As of July 1, 1987, the two fleets together have accumulated over 200 million miles. Data are presented for 112 crashes involving air bag deployment in these government sponsored fleet vehicles in service between 1984 and July 1, 1987.
Of the 112 drivers involved in the crashes, 103 sustained either no injury or only minor (AIS 1)[1]1 injuries. Of the nine remaining cases, six were AIS 2 and three AIS 3. To date, the limited data indicate that the air bag deployed as expected in all frontal crashes severe enough to require occupant restraint beyond that provided by the vehicle interior. Additionally, in collisions in which the air bag did not deploy, the crashes were of such low severity that no actuation was expected and none took place. In one case the crash was so severe (95 mph delta V and complete override by a logging truck) that deployment did not occur because the electrical system was destroyed before the crash sensors could initiate air bag deployment. This accident was judged to be un-survivable regardless of the type of restraint system used to protect the occupant.
Recommended Content
| Technical Paper | Tires-Stability and Control |
| Technical Paper | Inertial and Modal Properties of Racing Motorcycles |
| Technical Paper | Heavy Truck Frontal Crash Protection System Development |
Authors
Topic
Citation
Backaitis, S. and Roberts, J., "Occupant Injury Patterns in Crashes with Airbag Equipped Government Sponsored Cars," SAE Technical Paper 872216, 1987, https://doi.org/10.4271/872216.Also In
References
- The Abbreviated Injury Scale, 1980 Revision American Association for Automotive Medicine Morton Grove, I I
- “Recent Air Bag Field Performance- Summary of the Crash Experience of Government Sponsored Air Bag Equipped Fleet Vehicle as of July 1, 1987” NHTSA Research and Development, National Center for Statistics and Analysis Washington, D.C.
- “Crash3 User°s Guide and Technical Manual” NHTSA Washington, D.C. 1981 April 1982
- Smith, R.A. Tsongos, N.G. “Crash Phase Accident Reconstruction” SAE # 860209 Seminar on Passenger Comfort, Convenience and Safety SAE International Congress and Exposition Detroit 1986
- Wooley, R.L. Warner, C.Y. Tagg, M.D. “inaccuracies in the Crash 3 Program” SAE # 850255 Seminar on Passenger Comfort, Convenience and Safety SAE International Congress and Exposition Detroit 1986
- Termaat, K.B. Freeman, K.A. “Development of the Crash Sensor/Vehicle Interface” SAE # 720425 Proceedings, 2nd. International Conference on Passive Restraints Detroit 1972
- Watson, L.C. Shields, A.C. “Injury Predictions for Frontal Collisions” SAE # 751171 Proceedings 19-th Stapp Car Crash Conference San Diego 1975
- Hight, P.H. Lent-Koop, D.B. Hight, R.A. “Barrier Equivalent Velocity, Delta V and Crash3 Stiffness in Automobile Collisions” SAE # 850437 Seminar on Field Accidents, Data Collection, Analysis, Methodologies, and Crash Injury Reconstructions SAE International Congress and Exposition Detroit 1985
- Smith, R.A. Kahane, C.J. “1974 Accident Experience with Air Cushion Restraint Systems” SAE # 750190 SAE International Congress and Exposition Detroit 1975
- GSA “Report on the Benefits of Automatic Restraints for the Fiscal Year 1988 Federal Vehicle Procurement” Report to the House Committee on Appropriations for Treasury, Postal Service. And General Government May 1987
- Reidelbach, W. Schreier, H.H. Zeidler, F. “Mercedes-Benz Occupant Restraint System” Verbal Report 1986 Stapp Car Crash Conference San Diego