A Chronology of Research and Events To-Date Significant to Occupant Protection in Rear-End Automobile Impacts

Theory and principles of occupant protection for automobiles in rear-end collisions have experienced significant evolution over the decades. Performance of the seatback, specifically the stiffness of the structure, during such a collision has been a subject of particular interest and debate among design engineers, accident reconstruction experts, critics, etc. The majority of current seat designs rely on plastic deformation of the seatback structure to protect the occupant from the dynamics of the crash. In attempt to highlight and provide background information for understanding this subject, this work highlights significant events, research, and publications over the past five decades to illustrate how this subject, automobile design, government regulation and public opinion has evolved. It is observed that technology and design for improving rear-impact protection has received less attention than collisions of other principal directions of force. The different types of Anthropometric Test Devices (ATDs) used in research are quantified. Lessons may be learned by design engineers to ensure seatback safety moves forward with progress to improve future generations of automobile seats. It is also observed that the quantity of published works could be influenced by historical events as well as certain research topics trending in the automotive industry.