The Kinematic Analysis of Occupant Excursions and Accelerations during Staged Low Speed Far-Side Lateral Vehicle-to-Vehicle Impacts

The collection of research regarding occupant kinematics during low speed lateral vehicle-to-vehicle impacts is far less comprehensive than the much larger body of literature that quantifies the occupant kinematics associated with low speed rear end (longitudinal) impacts. In order to augment the available data, a series of 39 low speed far-side lateral vehicle-to-vehicle impacts were conducted in a laboratory setting. A combination of accelerometers and 3D motion tracking was used to characterize the motions of both the Target and Bullet vehicles during their collisions. The Target vehicle was initially stationary; the Bullet vehicle impacted the Target vehicle at the front passenger side door. The Bullet vehicle pre-impact speeds across all tests ranged from approximately 2.5 to 5.5 mph (4.0 to 8.9 kph; 1.1 to 2.5 m/s).

Eight volunteers participated in the study. Volunteers were seated in the driver seat during the impacts and were outfitted with accelerometers on their head and wore reflective markers for 3D motion tracking on the left side of their body. The experimental design included conducting lateral impacts while the volunteers were in both “non-distracted” and “distracted” states to identify any potential influence on occupant kinematics. In addition, effects of gender and anthropometry were explored. Primary outcome measures that were analyzed for each lateral impact included occupant accelerations measured at the head and the lateral displacement of the head relative to its initial position prior to impact. Volunteer peak resultant head accelerations (including gravity) ranged from 1.90 to 4.32 g. The peak Y-axis displacement of the head relative to the Target vehicle and away from the driver side B-pillar was 3.86 to 12.16 inches (9.80 to 30.89 cm) while the peak Y-axis displacement of the head relative to the Target vehicle and toward the driver side B-pillar ranged from 0.02 to 7.34 inches (0.05 to 18.64 cm). In all trials, the head displacement toward the driver side B-pillar was insufficient to cause physical contact.