Behavior and Response of Wheel Chair, Passenger and Restraint Systems Used in Ruses During Impact

Frontal, lateral and rear-end collisions with dummy occupied wheel chairs on a deceleration sled were conducted in two test series at a collision velocity of 30 km/h, and a sled deceleration of 8 and 12 g. In the first dummy test series conventional restraint systems were used; in the second test series improved restraint systems were employed. In a further series, four cadaver tests were conducted. For all tests and collision directions the HIC values, as well as the resultant acceleration at the center of gravity lay below the admissible values of Federal Motor Safety Standard 208. Despite the low thorax accelerations numerous rib fractures occurred in the cadaver tests. In two cadaver tests, injury degrees of AIS 5 were observed (multiple liver ruptures, vertebral column injuries).