Sideswipe Testing with an Instrumented Hybrid III Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD)

Sideswipe collisions pose a challenge to analyze for several reasons, however the most significant factor is that the vehicles do not reach a common velocity at impact. To better understand the dynamics of a sideswipe, vehicle testing can be performed to find the relationship between variables related to the impact, such as closing speed, relative angle, and overlap depth. This paper discusses data collected for three oblique (sideswipe) impact tests conducted by Calspan Corporation at their Transportation Test Operations facility in Buffalo, New York. The tests were conducted using a 2015 Toyota Corolla as the bullet vehicle, which impacted a stationary 2016 Ford Transit van. The Corolla was towed into the Transit at relative angles ranging from 8 to 15 degrees and at velocities of 5 to 20 mph. Two different (but identical) Toyota Corollas and Ford Transit vans were used during the testing series, depending on the test conditions. One instrumented Hybrid III 5th dummy was placed in the front driver designated seating position according to instructions specified in the TP-208 Test Procedure. A weight vest of 15 lbs was added to the dummy’s torso for the test. The oblique impact event was documented by five High Speed Cameras and one real time camera. The vehicles were instrumented with accelerometers measuring the forces experienced by the vehicles during the tests, and speed of the bullet vehicle was measured with a laser system immediately prior to impact. This paper intends to publish the relevant data associated with the vehicles and instrumented dummy during the three tests, and also review the relationship between collision variables associated with sideswipe impacts for the purposes of application to accident reconstruction.