A Comparison of Alternative Anchorage Systems for Child Restraints in Side Impacts

This paper presents the results of a test program comparing the performance of the CAUSFIX (originally known as CANFIX) and the Uniform Child Restraint Anchorage (UCRA) systems to the conventional Australian anchorage system of adult belt and top tether. Each anchorage configuration was subjected to both 45 and 90 degree simulated side impacts. The performance of the attachment systems was assessed using the TNO P3/4 dummy in both a rearward facing restraint and a forward facing restraint. Assessment was based on peak head acceleration and displacement.

The results indicate that both the CAUSFIX and the UCRA system can provide improved protection for children in side impacts. The CAUSFIX system was found to offer the greatest potential for improvement.

The results of this work are significant to the current debate concerning the proposed draft international standard for universal anchorage systems.