The safety of vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, is a paramount concern in automotive design and regulation. In India, the situation is particularly alarming, with pedestrians being the second highest victims of road accidents, as evidenced by over 32,825 reported pedestrian accidents and 4,836 cyclist fatalities in 2022, excluding two-wheeler motorcyclists. On a global scale, the prevalence of such incidents has prompted European countries to introduce new regulatory requirements, such as ECE R127.03. This regulation encompasses the evaluation of pedestrian head form impacts on windshields, assessing the typical behavior of glass through jerk criteria following initial contact, in conjunction with the existing Head Injury Criterion (HIC) evaluation for pedestrian head forms. These criteria are meticulously designed to ensure that both acceleration and jerk remain within safe limits to reduce the severe injury to head of vulnerable road users, thereby providing a more comprehensive approach to pedestrian protection.
This study develops into a detailed understanding of the new evaluation criteria by elucidating its benefits and fundamental design requirements for vehicles. To comprehend these principal design requirements, an initial study was conducted on existing vehicles through physical testing, simulation, and correlation. Detailed simulations were performed, and the correlated model was subsequently utilized to identify the design modifications necessary to meet these criteria.
Through an exhaustive analysis of test data and regulatory standards, this paper explores the effect of head impact on windshield of vehicle. The findings underscore the importance of optimizing windshield materials and structures to achieve the desired behavior. This research contributes to the ongoing efforts to enhance the safety of vulnerable road users and provides valuable insights for automotive manufacturers in their approach to meeting windshield requirements and developing safer vehicles in collaboration with regulatory bodies.