Mobile Deformable Barrier for Lateral Collision Testing-A Contribution Toward a Harmonization of Future Side Impact Performance Requirements

European and American side impact research efforts are directed towards the realization of further increases in existing levels of passive safety. Because side impact accident experience here and abroad exhibits many similarities, Governments of the European Community and the USA should exhibit a willingness to work together and agree upon a common test procedure including a common test device and test parameters.

By comparing 90° lateral impact test results with the Chevrolet Citation, the CCMC- and NHTSA barriers as striking vehicles and the Rabbit as the struck vehicle, Volkswagen demonstrates that the European CCMC deformable element mounted on the chassis of the NHTSA crabbed barrier constitutes a test device which is best suited as a basis of a common test procedure. The NHTSA deformable element is shown to be too stiff in 90° impacts.