Knee and Hip Displacements of Vehicle Occupants Restrained by Seat Belts in Frontal Impacts

This study presents an efficient method for forensic engineers to determine the expected forward knee and hip displacements of automobile occupants who are restrained by seat belts during frontal impacts. The amount of knee displacement sustained by an occupant in a vehicular collision must be determined in order to assess seat belt usage and benefit. The results of this study may be referenced to model the lower body motion of vehicle occupants in frontal impacts for a range of impact severities. Previous research has empirically determined hip and limited knee displacements for subjects restrained in frontal impacts of specific severities; however, these research results have not been directly compared to produce a simple and practical model that is applicable for a range of collision severities.