Automobile Crashworthiness Rating: Legislation and Testing

This paper investigates passenger motor vehicle crashworthiness rating and the use of the New Car Assessment Program of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to provide a rating system. In addition, legislation which is now being considered for requiring crash-worthiness rating and labeling of new cars is discussed. It is shown that rating automobiles' crashworthiness is a complex and difficult task. Furthermore, as a method for gaining insight into the complex interactions of traffic accidents, simulation is explored and shown to provide valuable information about the causes of injuries due to occupant and vehicle interaction.