A Validated Oblique Pole Side Impact Sled Test Methodology

This paper describes a new test methodology for simulating a near side oblique pole impact per FMVSS 214. Given the complexity, time, and cost of using full vehicle crash tests to develop occupant restraint systems, it is desirable to have a simple test method that allows engineers to develop an optimized restraint system in a timely and cost effective manner. The authors will present a new sled test method that accurately simulates a full vehicle oblique pole side impact test using only minimal vehicle components. This test method was validated through correlation with vehicle testing using the SID IIs (5^th percentile female) and the ES2-RE (50^th percentile male) dummies, on both a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and mid sized sedan to show application of this test method to a wide range of vehicle architectures.