Rollover crashes have continued to be a source of extensive research into determining both vehicle performance, and occupant restraint capabilities. Prior research has utilized various test procedures, including the FMVSS 208 dolly fixture, as a basis for evaluating vehicle and restraint performance. This research, using 2001 Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicles (SUVs), was conducted to update the status of passenger vehicle rollover testing, and evaluate dynamic test repeatability with a new test procedure.
A series of eight rollover tests was conducted using these SUV vehicles, mounted on a modified FMVSS 208 rollover dolly fixture, with instrumented dummies in both front seat positions. This test protocol involved launching the vehicles horizontally, after snubbing the dolly fixture, and having the leading-side tires contact curbing for a trip mechanism. The benefit of this methodology was to have the vehicle in a more realistic orientation at the trip point, and to minimize test dummy movement within the vehicle prior to trip. Results of this series demonstrated a lack of repeatability in terms of comparison of point-to-point kinematic events between tests. The range of roll distances between vehicles varied from 17.5 to 22 meters, and the number and orientation of vehicle-to-ground impacts varied widely. However, vehicle movement through the launch phase and into the curb was found to be consistent, with the vehicles deviating past approximately one-quarter roll. Seatbelted dummy kinematics demonstrated lateral movement in response to the trip phase, with subsequent movement in response to ground impacts as seen in prior studies.
The dynamic test series did experience incomplete data collection, and a portion of the analog data was not obtained.