Occupant Protection in a Research Safety Vehicle

The protection afforded the occupants of the Research Safety Vehicle (RSV) being developed for NHTSA by Calspan and Chrysler is identified by giving examples of the results of staged collisions. A brief review of the objectives of the four phase RSV program, vehicle development, and ultimate goals is provided as a frame of reference for the discussion of crashworthiness. Test data and photographs obtained in front, side and rear end collisions of these cars indicate occupant survivability in the 40 to 50 mph range.