ISOFIX: The Potential of a Universal Vehicle/Child Restraint Interface for Misuse Reduction and Performance Enhancement

ISOFIX is a proposal for a standardised attachment system for child restraints, which has been advanced as a means of improving usage, and reducing misuse. This study investigates ISOFIX in two ways. Consumers in Germany. Sweden and the UK were observed while installing ISOFIX and conventional systems. Dynamic testing was used to compare the two product installation principles in terms of performance. The consumer evaluation supports the thesis that ISOFIX can reduce misuse. ISOFIX was judged to be uniformly and greatly preferred by consumers in the three countries. Improved test performance, e.g. reduced head excursion, was found. Both findings indicate the potential for the reduction of injury through the institution of ISOFIX.