Testing Programs and Research on Restraint Systems

Extensive research in the field of occupant restraints has been made by the Office of Vehicle Systems Research at the National Bureau of Standards. Portions of that research, consisting of human dynamic sled tests at Holloman Air Force Base, tests of restraint systems on the NBS sled, and a variety of strength and degradation tests of seat belts are reported. The geometry of restraint systems in 1968 model production automobiles is documented.

Results of 75 human tests reported indicate the nature of human kinematic response to deceleration in seat belts and the forces the seat belt might be expected to withstand. Requirements for dynamic tests of seat belts have been investigated as well as degradation tests for improvement of the federal standards for seat belts for use in motor vehicles.