Research Concentrated on An Experimental Method for Protecting Pedestrians

This paper describes a test procedure in which a dummy and a sled impact tester are used to simulate vehicle-pedestrian accidents for the purpose of investigating pedestrian protection. In the series of tests conducted, the bumper height, hood-edge height, bumper lead, front-end compliance of the vehicle, impact velocity, and other factors were varied in an effort to clarify to what extent modifications to the vehicle front end would contribute to enhanced pedestrian protection.

Preliminary test findings obtained with this test procedure are also presented regarding the effects of the front-end shape of the vehicle and the stance of the dummy at the moment of impact.