Browse Topic: Accident types

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Evaluating the Effects of Improper Positioning and Unbuckling of a Restraint System on a 10-Year-Old Child ATD in a Far Side Side-Impact Environment2026-01-05624/7/2026
Five sled tests were performed with a Hybrid III (H-III) 10-year-old child sized Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) positioned in the 2nd row left seat of a three row 2006 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). A HYGE Sled buck was positioned to represent/replicate a side impact collision to the passenger (right) side of the SUV, with a Principal Direction of Force (PDOF) of 60 degrees, resulting in a far side side-impact for the ATD. Of the 5 tests performed, three of the five tests were performed with a delta-V of 17 mph, and two of the tests at a delta-V of 24 mph. Of the 17 mph tests, one test was performed with a properly restrained ATD, and two tests performed with improper restraint positioning. Both of the 24 mph tests were performed with improper restraint positioning, effectively identical to the two 17 mph delta-V tests. The two improper restraint use tests (at both 17 and 24 mph delta-V) included two different improper restraint scenarios. The first scenario of improper restraint
Luepke, Peter, Hewett, Natalie, Betts, Kevin, Van Arsdell, William, Weber, Paul, Stankewich, Charles, Miller, Gregory, Watson, Richard, Sochor, Mark
Sideswipe Impact Severity Testing and Analysis with an Instrumented Hybrid III Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD)2026-01-05324/7/2026
Vehicle-to-vehicle sideswipe collisions are unique in their impact characteristics because the vehicles typically do not reach a common velocity at impact. To better understand the characteristics and dynamics of sideswipe collisions, vehicle-to-vehicle crash testing was performed to find the relationships between variables related to the impact, such as closing speed, relative angle, and overlap depth. This paper discusses data collected for three sideswipe (oblique) impact tests conducted at a testing facility in Buffalo, New York. The tests were conducted using a passenger vehicle as the sideswiping vehicle, which impacted a stationary cargo van. The passenger vehicle was towed into the van at relative angles ranging from 8 to 15 degrees and at velocities of 5 to 20 mph. Two different (but identical) passenger cars and two cargo vans were used during the testing series. Test results were then utilized to investigate a methodology of analyzing sideswipe collisions as a combination of
Danaher, David, McDonough, Sean, Donaldson, Andrew, Neale, William, Cochran, Reece
Use Inertial Sliding of Reclined Seat to Enhance Occupant Retention under Rear-End Crash2026-01-05634/7/2026
Autonomous vehicles may attract more passengers to recline their seat for comfort. However, under severe rear-end crashes and large reclining angle, the backward inertia could completely throw occupant out of seat. Even if the occupant body can be restrained by seatbelt, the occupant’s head could slide out of the head restraint area. Any of these situations may cause severe injuries. To address this safety concern, we developed a sliding seat system designed to enhance occupant retention. Activated by impact inertia of rear-end collision, the system allows the seat sliding backward along its track in a controlled manner, and the sliding stroke is accompanied by a restraint force and absorbs some amount of kinetic energy during the sliding. Thus, occupant retention can be enhanced, and injury risks of head and neck can be reduced. To demonstrate this concept, we built a MADYMO model and conducted a parametric analysis. The model includes a 50th percentile human model, a vehicle seat
Dai, Rui, Zhou, Qing, Puyuan, Tan, Shen, Wenxuan
Development of Automotive Hood Using Multi-Material Double Injection Molding – An Overview2026-01-04764/7/2026
This paper presents the multidisciplinary development of a hybrid automotive hood manufactured using double-shot injection molding with overmolded brackets. Conventional steel and aluminum hoods, while structurally reliable, pose challenges in terms of weight reduction, pedestrian head protection, and manufacturing cost. Composite and thermoplastic alternatives supported by computational analysis and advanced molding processes provide opportunities to address these challenges. Finite element analysis (FEA) was employed to evaluate torsional and bending stiffness, locking load, and crashworthiness, while pedestrian headform simulations following ECE R127 and EEVC WG17 guidelines were conducted to assess compliance with safety regulations. Adhesion and bonding strength of overmolded polymer–polymer interfaces were studied to validate manufacturing feasibility. Results confirm that hybrid hoods fabricated using multi-material double-shot molding can achieve weight reductions of up to 30
Ganesan, Karthikeyan, Seok, Sang Ho, Jo, Hyoung Han
Multi-Physics Topology Optimization and Neural Network–Based Design of Experiments for Lightweight Automotive Cast Components2026-01-05104/7/2026
This paper presents a hybrid optimization framework that integrates Multi-Physics Topology Optimization (MPTO) with a Neural Network–surrogated Design of Experiments (NN-DOE) to enable lightweight structural design while satisfying crashworthiness, durability, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) requirements under practical casting and packaging constraints. In the proposed MPTO formulation, crash and durability performances are incorporated through equivalent static compliance measures, while NVH performance is assessed using a frequency-domain dynamic stiffness metric, allowing consistent evaluation of trade-offs among competing design requirements. The framework is first demonstrated using a mass-produced passenger-car lower control arm (LCA) as a benchmark component. In this application, MPTO achieves weight reduction under multi-physics objectives by removing non-load-bearing material. Results show that single-discipline optimization produces unbalanced topologies, while
Kim, Hyosig, Senkowski, Andres, Gona, Kiran, Saroha, Lalit, Boraiah, Mahesh
Inertial Pedal Displacement and Brake Switch Activation in Frontal Crash Events2026-01-05414/7/2026
This paper presents research into the inertial displacement of brake pedals and the subsequent activation of brake light switches during crash events. In certain scenarios, such as multiple-impact crashes or crashes with pre-impact interactions such as curb strikes or sideswipes, inertial forces alone may generate sufficient brake pedal movement to trigger the brake switch, activating the brake lights. Such signals may be recorded by an Event Data Recorder (EDR) or observed by witnesses and incorrectly interpreted as an indication of intentional driver braking. To investigate this phenomenon, HYGE sled tests were performed using brake pedal assemblies and associated components from a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and a Cadillac DeVille passenger sedan. The assemblies were subjected to acceleration pulses simulating a frontal impact, with high-speed video used to capture brake pedal displacement and brake light activation. The tests demonstrated that inertial loading from a pulse with a
Walker, James, Duran, Amanda, Barnes, Daniel, Osterhout, Aaron, Clayton, Aidan
Effects of Child Anthropometry, Seatback Angle, Seat Rotation Angle, Seatbelt Force Limiting, and Collision Type on Injury Risk of Child Occupants in Highly Automated Vehicles2026-01-05704/7/2026
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of child anthropometry, seating postures (recline and rotation), seatbelt force limiting, and frontal collision scenarios on the kinematic response and injury risk in highly automated vehicles. The TUST IBMs 6YO-O model was conducted the frontal collisions in sled tests. This simulation matrix includes five percentiles six-year-old occupants (P3, P25, P50, P75, and P97), three seatback angles (20°, 30°, and 45°), four seat rotation angles (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°), three seatbelt force limiting (2.6 kN, 3.6 kN, and 4.6 kN), and three frontal collision types. Injury risks were assessed including the child occupant's head, neck, chest/abdomen, and lumbar region in each simulation (n=540). The results indicate that the child anthropometry, the seatback angle, and the seat rotation angle have a significant influence on the motion responses. Statistically significant differences between all the groups within each independent variable category were
Wang, Yanxin, Zhao, Hongqian, Li, Haiyan, He, Lijuan, Cui, Shihai, Lv, Wenle
Occupant and Seat Responses in Various Moderate- to High-Speed Rear Impact Conditions: Focus on Head-to-Head Restraint Interactions2026-01-05654/7/2026
Head restraint requirements and designs have evolved to minimize the delay in head support and reduce differential loading in the neck. As a result, they have become bigger, closer to the occupant’s head, and angled forward relative to the seat back. Head restraints have been found missing or detached in the field; they may be removed pre-crash due to occupant comfort issues, or post-crash for better accessibility during extrication. Additionally, although rare, head restraints may become detached in severe rear impacts due to occupant loading. To better understand occupant-to-head restraint dynamic interactions, nine rear sled tests were conducted. The test conditions were selected to represent worst case severe loading scenarios. An instrumented 50th Hybrid III ATD (Anthropomorphic Test Device) was lap-shoulder belted on a right-front seat. The neck was equipped with a bracket and lower neck load cell designed for rear impacts. Three series of sled tests were performed wherein the
Parenteau, Chantal, Burnett, Roger, Davidson, Russell
Statistical Assessment of Pretensioner and Load Limiter Effects on the Large Omnidirectional Child ATD Response in Frontal Impacts2026-01-05504/7/2026
Enhancing child occupant protection requires a clear understanding of how seatbelt restraint parameters influence crash injury metrics. Real-world vehicles mostly include pretensioner and load limiter technologies to mitigate injuries, but rear seat restraints often do not include these. The FMVSS No. 213 test bench closely represents current restraint systems but does not involve such active vehicle restraint features. This study explores the response of the Large Omnidirectional Child ATD to evaluate potential injury mitigation under FMVSS No. 213 frontal sled test conditions. A simulation-based full factorial design was implemented in LS-DYNA to vary pretensioner retraction, retractor load-limiting thresholds, and webbing payout, with injury measures including head acceleration, head excursion, chest compression, and abdominal pressure twin sensors (APTS). Statistical evaluation using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-Kramer post-hoc tests quantified main and interaction
Khattak, Mohid Muneeb, Bendig, Colleen, Louden, Allison, Noll, Scott
Novel Tube-in-Tube Steel Side Sill Reinforcement Design and Validation for Enhanced Crash Performance in EVs2026-01-04784/7/2026
Increased use of Electrical vehicles (EVs) brings in unique structural design challenges particularly in Side Impact scenarios when the battery pack positioned near the sill region elevates the possibility of battery penetration and thermal runway in crash event. Thus, Electric Vehicles require unique structural design solutions. This study focuses on a novel steel tube-in-tube Side Sill reinforcement design and its performance benefits over a traditional aluminum Side Sill reinforcement commonly used for battery protection in EV vehicles body components. The proposed Steel Side Sill design layout mainly focuses on structural rigidity and improved load transfer during side pole impact crash cases and addressing manufacturing complexity and cost reduction opportunity. Multiple Steel Side Sill reinforcement design iterations are carried out by finite element analysis with software like LSDYNA Hyper works [1]. The goal was to develop an optimal tubular design - maximizing load transfer
Kusnoorkar, Harsha, Khutorsky, Alex, Penumetsa, Vivek, Koraddi, Basavaraj
Low Speed Bumper System Impact Variation Study2026-01-04744/7/2026
Variation studies are an important part of the product development process. They help to understand and estimate real-world deviation from nominal design parameters, optimize designs for robustness, reliability, and cost-efficiency. CAE and Virtual tools enable us to simulate variation types and capture the full bandwidth of actual field performance- rather than the validation from a limited number of physical tests. In this study, the effects of various factors on vehicle performance during low-speed impacts, utilizing a Design of Experiments (DOE) approach have been investigated through virtual simulation. Low-speed impacts, typically defined as collisions occurring at speeds less than 2.5 mph, are critical for understanding vehicle insurability and compliance with regulatory standards. The factors examined include vehicle impactor position, impact speed, angle of collision, part thickness variation, material property variation. The DOE methodology allowed for a systematic analysis
Suravaram, Raghu Mohan Reddy, Islam, ABM Iftekharul, Larson, John, Tehrani, Babak, Koch, Lisa, Mathur, Mohit Sain
Numerical Investigation on Thorax Rib Deflections of 50th Male in Vehicle Side Oblique Pole Impact Using Human Body Model2026-01-05664/7/2026
The WorldSID-50M dummy is widely adopted in regulatory and third-party testing programs (e.g., ECE, Euro-NCAP, C-NCAP) owing to its advanced design and superior biofidelity. However, in vehicle side oblique pole crash tests involving shoulder-covered side airbags - an expanded testing modality - excessive deflection of the upper thoracic ribs was observed. Notably, this phenomenon was absent in standard side moving deformable barrier (SMDB) tests. This study pursued two core objectives: (1) to systematically document the excessive upper thoracic rib deflection of the WorldSID-50M dummy in side oblique pole crash tests; and (2) to investigate the influence of arm-thorax interaction on such deflection using a Human Body Model (HBM) representative of a 50th percentile male occupant. Numerical simulation results reveal that while arm-thorax interaction does contribute to rib deflection, its impact on the excessive deflection of the upper thoracic ribs is negligible.
Zhou, DY, Chen, Shaopeng, Yan, Li, Wu, Jing, Liu, Chong, Lv, Xiaojiang, Yang, Heping
Vault-Induced Pitchover Crash Testing of a Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV)2026-01-05464/7/2026
Vehicle pitchover crashes can result in very severe accelerations and forces. Literature and test data available on pitchover crashes is sparse. This paper presents the results of a full-scale pitchover/rollover crash test using an instrumented vehicle in a controlled and documented off-road environment. The test vehicle was driven to the launch point by an off-board operator using remote steering and throttle controls. The test vehicle then experienced an airborne phase during which forward pitching occurred, followed by a front-to-ground impact which induced additional pitchover motion. Then, following the initial front and rear impacts, the vehicle transitioned from a pitchover to rollover motion before coming to rest. The resulting vehicle motion, vehicle damage markings, and ground markings were documented with various slow motion and real time camera views. The test vehicle was instrumented with accelerometers, rotation rate sensors, and other sensors, the results of which
Warner, Mark, Warner, Wyatt, Swensen, Grant, Perl, Mark
Design and Simulation Analysis of an Integrated Honeycomb-Filled Front Bumper for a Special Vehicle2026-01-04754/7/2026
In frontal collisions of automobiles, the bumper beam at the front of the vehicle plays a crucial role in absorbing energy and protecting the vehicle body during a collision. To enhance the collision resistance of a specific type of special vehicle with a non-load-bearing body structure, this paper focuses on this type of vehicle and conducts a study on the design and collision performance of an integrated vehicle front bumper - anti-collision beam structure based on aluminum alloy additive manufacturing technology. A novel bumper structure is proposed, which integrates the front bumper and the front anti-collision beam of the vehicle and is integrally formed using aluminum alloy additive manufacturing technology. This integrated structure is directly connected to the vehicle frame. Firstly, based on the appearance of the special vehicle body and the form of the front anti-collision beam of traditional passenger vehicles, an integrated design of the vehicle front bumper- anti-collision
王, Xufan, Yuan, Liu-Kai, Zhang, Tangyun, Wang, Tao, Zhang, Ming, Wang, Liangmo
Safety Monitor for Off-Road Planning with Uncertainty Bounded Bekker Costs2026-01-01414/7/2026
Reliable off-road autonomy requires operational constraints so that behavior stays predictable and safe when soil strength is uncertain. This paper presents a runtime assurance safety monitor that collaborates with any planner and uses a Bekker-based cost model with bounded uncertainty. The monitor builds an upper confidence traversal cost from a lightweight pressure sinkage model identified in field tests and checks each planned motion against two limits: maximum sinkage and rollover margin. If the risk of crossing either limit is too high, the monitor switches to a certified fallback that reduces vehicle speed, increases standoff from soft ground, or stops on firmer soil. This separation lets the planner focus on efficiency while the monitor keeps the vehicle within clear safety limits on board. Wheel geometry, wheel load estimate, and a soil raster serve as inputs, which tie safety directly to vehicle design and let the monitor set clear limits on speed, curvature, and stopping at
Naik, Akshay, Norris, William, Sreenivas, Ramavarapu S., Soylemezoglu, Ahmet, Nottage, Dustin S., Patterson, Albert
Development of a Tire Blowout Experimental Platform for Dynamics and Control Validation2026-01-02024/7/2026
Tires are critical to vehicle dynamics, transmitting traction, braking, and cornering forces to the road. A tire blowout, the sudden and rapid loss of inflation pressure due to puncture or structural failure, can cause severe instability, rollover, or collisions. Understanding vehicle response during blowout events is essential for developing robust safety systems and control strategies. Earlier developed simulation models are used to study and understand vehicle behavior during blowouts, but there is a lack of on-road testing platforms to validate these models experimentally. In this paper, an experimental platform integrating a tire blowout device and an instrumentation system has been developed to address this gap. The blowout device consists of multiple solenoid valves mounted on the wheel surface and powered by a 12V power supply. All valves can be triggered at the same time using an RF remote, producing rapid and synchronized deflation. As an extension of this implementation, an
Kanthala, Maha Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Krishnakumar, Ashwin, Lin, Wen-Chiao, Chen, Yan
A Study on the Injury Risk of Occupant with Different Head and Neck Rotating Postures under the Frontal Impact Sled Conditions2026-01-05744/7/2026
Drivers obtain road information through head and neck rotation. In order to study the influences of head and neck rotation posture on occupant injury in frontal impact scenario, the THUMS (Total Human Model for Safety) AM50 human body model with five different head and neck rotation postures but without active muscles was adopted to study the biomechanical injury responses of occupant under the frontal impact scenario at 56 km/h in this study. Firstly, the kinematic responses of total body and head acceleration curves at the center of gravity predicted by PMHS (Post Mortem Human Subject) and THUMS AM50 human model under the sled test conditions were compared to verify the simulation model for subsequent study. Then, the THUMS AM50 human model with standard occupant seating posture was adjusted to have five different head and neck rotation postures with 0°, ±20°, and ±40° rotation angle, respectively. Finally, a series of frontal impact sled with or without airbag simulations were
Li, Dongqiang, jiang, Yejie, Tan, Chun, Li, Yanyan, Gong, Chuangye, Wu, Hequan, Jiang, Binhui
High Biofidelity Modification of Thoracolumbar Structure in THOR Model for Reclined Occupant2026-01-01964/7/2026
With the rapid development of automated driving and the increasing adoption of “zero-gravity” seats, the crash safety of highly reclined occupants has become a critical issue. The current THOR dummy, designed for frontal impacts in the standard upright posture, exhibits limitations when directly applied to reclined seating configurations, including insufficient spinal flexion capability and excessive posterior pelvic rotation. In this study, the thoracolumbar spine kinematics of the THUMS human body model, reconstructed against post-mortem human subject (PMHS) tests, were analyzed. A two-segment linear fitting was employed to characterize a “dummy-like” spinal flexion response, yielding a virtual rotational hinge located near the thoracolumbar joint of the original THOR model. The characteristic rotation angle obtained from THUMS showed a strong linear correlation with the flexion moment of the T12–L1 vertebrae. Based on this relationship, the rotational joint of the THOR dummy was
Guo, Wencheng, Kuang, Gaoyuan, Shen, Wenxuan, Tan, Puyuan, Zhou, Qing
The Characterization of Longitudinal Lumbar Acceleration in Low-Speed Rear-End Impacts Across Different Surrogate Occupant Types2026-01-05524/7/2026
Longitudinal lumbar acceleration is often overlooked as a key variable when biomechanically assessing lumbar response in rear-end collisions. The objective of this study is twofold: (1) to conduct a comprehensive literature review of peak longitudinal lumbar acceleration to statistically evaluate differences between three surrogate occupant types: human volunteers, post-mortem human subjects (PMHS), and anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) and (2) to construct a mathematical predictive model of longitudinal lumbar acceleration using peak longitudinal vehicle or sled change in velocity (delta-V) and vehicle acceleration in rear-end impacts. Peak longitudinal lumbar acceleration was obtained from peer-reviewed literature and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety database. Tests included belted human volunteers, PMHS, and ATD occupants seated upright in unmodified, conventional driver seats. Compared to human volunteers instrumented at L5-S1, BioRID ATDs instrumented at L1 displayed
Zambare, Keya, Ogbu Felix, Jordan, Arana Barcala, Emily, Westrom, Clyde, Caraan, John, Adanty, Kevin, Shimada, Sean
Injury Risk Analysis of Occupant with Different Lower Limb Postures under the Frontal Impact Sled Conditions2026-01-05724/7/2026
To investigate the characteristics of injuries sustained by occupant with different lower limb postures under the frontal impact sled conditions. Using the finite element method a series of simulation analyses were conducted on THUMS (Total Human Model for Safety) AM50 human body model with four different postures, including standing posture, lower limb bent at 100°, 90°, and crossed forward-backward, under the frontal impact scenario at 56 km/h in this study. The simulation results indicated that the overall injury risk predicted by the THUMS AM50 huma body model with lower limb crossed forward-backward was higher than that predicted by the model with other postures. The values of injury criteria including of HIC (Head Injury Criterion), head resultant acceleration, and thoracic VC (Viscous Criterion) predicted by the THUMS AM50 huma body model with lower limb crossed forward-backward were highest in these series simulations. Also, the biomechanical responses, including stress or
Li, Dongqiang, jiang, Yejie, Tan, Chun, Li, Yanyan, Li, Yihui, Wu, Hequan, Jiang, Binhui, Zhu, Feng
Effects of Obstacle Height and Vehicle Roll Behavior on Electric Vehicle Side Impact Safety2026-01-04054/7/2026
Electric vehicles (EVs) face unique safety challenges under pole side impact conditions, largely due to the presence of floor-mounted battery packs. Existing regulatory test procedures, such as FMVSS 214, primarily address occupant injury using full-height cylindrical obstacles. These procedures were originally developed for internal combustion vehicles (ICVs). However, real-world roadside crashes frequently involve obstacles of varying heights, such as guardrails, curbs, and median bases. While these obstacles pose limited risk to the passenger compartment, they can intrude into the battery pack and trigger thermal runaway. This study investigates the influence of obstacle height on EV pole side impacts. Finite element simulations of a commercially available sedan were conducted against rigid obstacles of different heights. Results reveal a non-monotonic trend of battery intrusion governed by the interplay between rollover dynamics and structural stiffness. Theoretical analyses were
Ma, Chenghao, Xing, Bobin, Zhou, Qing, Xia, Yong
Revisiting Rear Seat Safety: Field Evaluations of Relative Injury Risk Across Seating Positions and the Integration of Advanced Rear Seat Belt Systems2026-01-05614/7/2026
Despite advances in crash avoidance, occupant restraint systems remain crucial in protecting the motoring public. Following decades of improvement in occupant protection, including several supplemental restraint systems for front seat occupants, the safety of rear seat occupants has recently undergone scrutiny. Studies evaluating rear seat occupant injury risk via field crash data have reported reduced relative safety in rear seating positions and alluded to advanced rear seat restraints, such as pretensioners and load limiters, as potential solutions. While the pursuit of novel technologies has historically improved occupant outcomes, evaluation of new systems in both controlled laboratory environments and field crashes is necessary to understand potential consequences of widespread introduction. This study analyzed the prevalence of advanced seat belts (load limiters and pretensioners) in the rear seating positions in the U.S. fleet. Additionally, occupant injury risk was compared
Rapp van Roden, Elizabeth Ann, Miller, Bruce, Pearson, Joseph, Williamson, James, Brown, Thomas
Machine Learning Based Meta-Analysis of IIHS Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test for Rear Seat Occupant Safety Performance2026-01-05794/7/2026
A machine learning (ML)-based meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate rear seat occupant safety performance in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Moderate Overlap Frontal (MOF) 2.0 crash test. ML models were trained on historical IIHS crash test data to predict rear passenger injury metrics using vehicle architecture, restraint system characteristics, crash pulse parameters, and vehicle kinematics as input features. The models demonstrated high predictive accuracy and were subsequently used in a Sobol sensitivity analysis to identify critical design parameters influencing injury outcomes. The analysis revealed that rear passenger injury metrics were most sensitive to restraint system parameters. Specifically, crash pulse magnitude was the dominant factor for head injury metrics, pretensioner activation time for neck tension force, and lap belt force for the Neck Injury Criterion (Nij). For chest-related metrics—sternum deflection, dynamic belt position, and maximum belt
Lalwala, Mitesh, Kim, Wonhee, Furton, Lisa, Song, Jay
Frontal Crash Classification and Occupant Outcomes from 2017 to 2023 US Field Cases09-14-01-00244/2/2026
This study provides an updated characterization of real-world frontal crash types—considering overlap and obliquity—based on their overall frequency and associated injury outcomes. The results of this study will support an evaluation of how well NHTSA’s frontal oblique crash test condition addresses the current population of serious frontal crashes, as compared to frontal test modes in existing crashworthiness programs. U.S. field crash data from 2017 to 2023 were analyzed to classify frontal crashes by coded damage characteristics. Oblique frontal crashes were defined as those with principal direction of force between 10°–40° and 320°–350°. Non-ejected belted first and second row occupants in model year 2000 and newer passenger vehicles absent a rollover event were included. Occupants were stratified by sex, age, and body mass index, and injury outcomes based on moderate, serious, and fatal thresholds were analyzed across crash configurations. Among the belted first row occupants
Rudd, Rodney W.
Characterization of Fatal Cyclist Collisions Involving Nine Vehicle Types Traveling at Low and High Speeds in Japan09-14-01-00054/1/2026
To reduce traffic fatalities through vehicle safety measures, particular attention must be given to cyclist-related fatalities. Clarifying the characteristics of hazardous events leading to cyclist fatalities, not only by vehicle speed range but also by vehicle type, is essential and should be based on analyses of real-world accident data. Accordingly, this study aimed to characterize fatal cyclist accidents involving vehicles traveling at low and high speeds in Japan. We used macro accident data from the Japanese Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis covering the period from 2013 to 2022. Based on nine vehicle types, we investigated the effects of road type, vehicle behavior, and accident type on cyclist fatalities. Additionally, we identified the five most frequent accident scenarios separately for each low- and high-speed category. At signalized intersections, the proportions of cyclist fatalities involving vehicles traveling at low speeds were higher than those
Matsui, Yasuhiro, Oikawa, Shoko
Characterization of Front Row Occupants Involved in Motor Vehicle Crashes Compared to ATDs and the U.S. Population09-14-01-00274/1/2026
Currently, adult anthropomorphic test devices used in regulatory and consumer information crash testing in the United States are targeted to represent a small female (5th percentile) and an average male (50th percentile). The anthropometry determined previously might not represent the current population, or as investigated in the current study, those that are at least moderately injured during a motor vehicle crash. The objective of this study was to use field data to determine if the current frontal anthropomorphic test devices are representative. Data from the National Automotive Sampling System–Crashworthiness Data System (2010-2015) and Crash Investigation Sampling System (2017–2023) were queried for sex, age, size, and injury information for front seat occupants in frontal crashes. Additional datasets used were from the National Trauma Data Bank and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to field data, the most frequently injured female and male is approximately
McNeil, Elizabeth, Atwood, Jonathan, Rudd, Rodney, Craig, Matthew
Injury and Kinematics of Obese PMHS in Frontal Impacts with Reclined Seating09-14-01-00034/1/2026
Objective: This study investigated injury outcomes and body kinematics in obese occupants exposed to frontal impacts while seated in reclined postures. With increasing interest in non-traditional seating configurations and a growing population of obese vehicle occupants, the objective was to evaluate how seat stiffness and restraint features influence injury patterns and whole-body excursions. Methods: Nine obese post-mortem human surrogates (PMHS; mean age: 64 years, stature: 1.70 m, body mass: 102 kg, BMI: 35 kg/m2) were tested under frontal impact conditions simulating a delta-V of 50 kph. All specimens were seated on a spring-controlled seat with a 45° reclined seatback and restrained by a three-point belt system with pretensioner and load limiter. Three configurations were evaluated: (1) stiffer seat, (2) softer seat, and (3) stiffer seat with a knee bolster 100 mm from the knees. Each subject underwent one test. Whole-body kinematics were captured using a VICON motion analysis
Somasundaram, Karthik, Yoganandan, Narayan, Pintar, Frank
Rear-Impact Crash Injury Patterns and Predictors: Insights from Contemporary CISS and CIREN Field Data09-14-01-00293/31/2026
The objective of this study was to investigate occupant injury patterns and predictors in rear-impact crashes using recent US field data. Cases were queried from the Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS, 2017–2023) and the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN, 2017–2024), yielding 1923 front-row outboard occupants from 1533 crashes. Crash documentation and vehicle photographs were manually reviewed to classify seatback deformation magnitude and secondary impact severity. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated associations between occupant, vehicle, and crash characteristics and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 2 and AIS ≥ 3 injury outcomes across body regions. Sensitivity analyses included CISS-only, weighted, single-event, and interaction models. Thoracic injuries were further subdivided into skeletal and cardiopulmonary categories. Findings reflect associations within the pooled CISS + CIREN analytic sample rather than nationally representative injury
Lockerby, Jack, Rudd, Rodney
From Stoplights to On-Ramps: A Comprehensive Set of Crash Rate Benchmarks for Freeway and Surface Street ADS Evaluation09-14-02-00033/31/2026
This paper presents crash rate benchmarks for evaluating US-based automated driving systems (ADSs) for multiple urban areas, distinguishing between freeway and surface street crash rates, and breaking them down by crash severity and type. The purpose of this study was to extend prior benchmarks focused only on surface streets to additionally capture freeway crash risk for future ADS safety performance assessments. Using publicly available police-reported crash and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) data from Arizona, California, Georgia, and Texas, the methodology details the isolation of in-transport passenger vehicles, road type classification, and crash typology. Key findings revealed that freeway crash rates exhibit large geographic dependence variations with any-injury-reported crash rates being approximately three times higher in Atlanta (2.3 IPMM; the highest) when compared to San Diego (0.7 IPMM; the lowest). The results show the critical need for location-specific benchmarks to
Scanlon, John M., McMurry, Timothy L., Chen, Yin-Hsiu, Kusano, Kristofer D., Victor, Trent
Advanced Tool for Traffic Crash Analysis: An AI-Driven Multi-Agent Approach to Pre-Crash Reconstruction09-14-01-00333/31/2026
Traffic collision reconstruction traditionally relies on human expertise and, when performed properly, can be incredibly accurate. However, attempting to perform pre-crash reconstruction, i.e., reconstructing the driver and vehicle behaviors that preceded the actual crash, poses significantly more challenges. This study develops a multi-agent artificial intelligence (AI) framework that reconstructs pre-crash scenarios and infers vehicle behaviors from fragmented collision data. We present a two-phase collaborative framework combining reconstruction and reasoning phases. The system processes 277 rear-end lead vehicle deceleration (LVD) collisions from the Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS; 2017–2022), integrating textual crash reports, structured tabular data, and visual scene diagrams. Phase I generates natural language crash reconstructions from multimodal inputs. Phase II performs in-depth crash reasoning by combining these reconstructions with the temporal event data
Xu, Gerui, Chen, Boyou, Guo, Huizhong, LeBlanc, Dave, Kusari, Arpan, Yarbasi, Efe, Ahmed, Ananna, Sun, Zhaonan, Bao, Shan
Analysis and Determination the Time to Rollover of Tractor Semi-Trailer Vehicle Based on Multi-body System Analysis and Newton–Euler Equations02-19-03-00133/27/2026
This article aims to determine the time to rollover (TTR) of a tractor semi-trailer vehicle (TSTV). It uses a full dynamics model for assessment, specifically applying multi-body system analysis and Newton–Euler Equations with a nonlinear tire model. The model is applied to investigate velocities ranging from 40 km/h to 80 km/h and magnitude of steering angles ranging from 12.5° to 300°. The times at which the Load Transfer Ratio (LTR), Roll Safety Factor (RSF), and lateral acceleration reach their maximum values are evaluated. The survey results demonstrate the impact of velocity and steering wheel angle on the time it takes for the LTR, RSF, and lateral acceleration to reach their maximum values. The time interval between the RSF reaching 1 and the LTR reaching 1 range from 0.144 s to 0.655 s. Similarly, the time it takes for the tractor body’s lateral acceleration to peak and the LTR to reach 1 varies between 0.228 s and 1.555 s. Additionally, the time interval from when the semi
Hung, Ta Tuan, Khanh, Duong Ngoc
Neck and Spinal Responses in the Reclined Large Omnidirectional Child Anthropomorphic Test Device with and without a Booster Seat during Far-Side Lateral Oblique Impacts09-14-01-00113/20/2026
Objective The objective of this study was to examine the Large Omnidirectional Child (LODC) anthropomorphic test device (ATD) neck and spine responses in reclined seating configurations with and without a backless belt-positioning booster (BPB) in far-side lateral oblique impacts. Methods The LODC was seated on a production passenger seat with an integrated seatbelt and tested in nine lateral oblique impact (80° from frontal) sled tests (31.3 km/h). A condition with a nominal seatback angle (~25°) with a backless BPB and two conditions with reclined seatback angles (~45° and ~60°) with and without a BPB were compared. Each condition was repeated, except for the 60° without BPB. Peak upper neck tension force and lateral moment, T1, T6, and T12 lateral rotation, lumbar axial and lateral shear forces, and lumbar axial moment (Mz) were extracted. Results With noBPB, upper neck tension (45° noBPB: 2.0 ± 0.1 kN; 60° noBPB: 1.8 kN) and lateral moment (45° noBPB: 31.7 ± 2.3 Nm; 60° noBPB: 29.2
Graci, Valentina, Humm, John, Hauschild, Hans
Anti-Rollover Strategy for Six-Axis Semi-Trailer Based on Lateral Force Balance02-19-04-00242/24/2026
To address the rollover risk of six-axle semi-trailers due to their large mass, high center of gravity, and multi-axle articulation, a lateral force balance anti-rollover strategy based on the Ackermann steering principle is proposed. By establishing the wheel angle constraint equations for the full-wheel steering system of the six-axle semi-trailer, a rigid-body dynamic model considering the articulation characteristics is developed. The key control and observation parameters are included in the wheel angles, center of gravity lateral offset, yaw angular velocity, sideslip angle, and lateral load transfer rate. An SMC-PID joint controller is designed, in which the third axle steering angle of the tractor is optimized by the SMC controller, and the trailer’s three-axle steering angle tracking control is achieved by the PID controller. The nonlinear accumulation of centrifugal force and dynamic load transfer under high-speed emergency lane change conditions is suppressed by a
Zhang, Qiyuan, Zhang, Lei, Liao, Shengkun, Sun, Jinxu, He, Jing
Vibration Dynamics of a Half-Car Model Considering Tire–Road Separation02-19-04-00212/9/2026
The vibrating half-car model is used to represent the dynamic behavior of a truck’s dependent suspension system, capturing four degrees of freedom. This research investigates time and frequency responses of vibration behavior of half-car model with possible tire–road separation. This investigation is significant because all previously reported analyses based on the tire-road attachment were incorrect, particularly regarding the tire-road separation phenomenon. The differential equations are extended to enhance the accuracy of the model, incorporating tire–road separation conditions for both wheels. A numerical approach is applied to simulate the vertical and roll dynamics of the system under the separation assumption. The simulation results are validated through experiments conducted using ADAMS View software. Integrating the tire–road separation into the model results in dynamic responses that closely reflect real-world behavior. These findings provide valuable guidance for designing
Nguyen, Quy Dang, Jazar, Reza
Improve Safety Balance between Women and Men in Frontal Crashes through Parametric Human Modeling and Adaptive Design Optimization2025-22-00101/23/2026
Objective: Previous studies have reported disparity in injuries between male and female drivers in the risk of certain types of injuries in frontal crashes that may be due to a myriad of sex-related differences, including body size, shape, anatomy, or sitting posture. The objectives of this study are 1) to use mesh-morphing methods to generate a diverse set of human body models (HBMs) representing a wide range of body sizes and shapes for both sexes, 2) conduct population-based frontal crash simulations, and 3) explore adaptive restraint design strategies that may lead to enhanced safety for the whole population while mitigating potential differences in injury risks between male and female drivers Method: A total of 200 HBMs with a wide range of body sizes and shapes were generated by morphing the THUMS v4.1 midsize male model into geometries predicted by the statistical human geometry models. Ten male and ten female HBMs were selected for population-based simulations. An existing
Sun, Wenbo, Hu, Jingwen, Lin, Yang-Shen, Boyle, Kyle, Reed, Matthew, Sun, Zhaonan, Hallman, Jason
Occupant Kinematics and Injuries during High Speed Side Impacts: An Analysis of ARAI Data 2016-20242026-26-00271/16/2026
The objective of the present study is to examine trends in occupant kinematics and injuries during side impact tests carried out on vehicle models over the period of time. Head, shoulder, torso, spine, and pelvis kinematic responses are analysed for driver dummy in high speed side impacts for vehicle model years, MY2016-2024. Side impact test data from the tests conducted at The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is examined for MY2016-2024. The test procedure is as specified in AIS099 or UNECE R95, wherein a 950kg moving deformable barrier (MDB) impacts the side of stationary vehicle at 50km/hr. An Instrumented 50th percentile male EUROSID-2 Anthropomorphic Test Device is positioned in the driver seat on the impacting side. Occupant kinematic data, including head accelerations, Head Injury Criterion (HIC15), Torso deflections at thorax and abdominal ribs, spine accelerations at T12 vertebra, and pelvis accelerations are evaluated and compared. The “peak” and “time to
Mishra, Satish, Borse, Tanmay, Kulkarni, Dileep, Mahajan, Rahul
Safer Trucks for India: Smart Tech Fusion2026-26-00311/16/2026
Commercial vehicle sector (especially trucks) has a major role in economic growth of a nation. With improving infrastructure, increasing number of trucks on roads, accidents are also increasing. As per RASSI (Road Accident Sampling System India) FY2016-23 database, commercial vehicles are involved in 42% of total accidents on Indian roads. Involvement of trucks (N2 & N3) is over 25% of total accidents. Amongst all accident scenarios of N2 &N3, frontal impacts are the most frequent (26%) and causing severe occupant injuries. Today, truck safety development for frontal impact is based on passive safety regulations (viz. front pendulum – AIS029) and basic safety features like seatbelts. In any truck accident, it is challenging rather impossible to manage comprehensive safety only with passive safety systems due to size and weight. Accident prevention becomes imperative in truck safety development due to extremely high energy involved in front impact scenarios. The paper presents a unique
Joshi, Kedar Shrikant, Gadekar, Ganesh, Date, Atul, Koralla, Sivaprasad
Adaptive Restraints for Equitable Protection2026-26-00151/16/2026
Real-world crashes involve diverse occupants, but traditional restraint systems are designed for a limited range of body types considering the applicable regulations and protocols. While conventional restraints are effective for homogeneous occupant profiles, these systems often underperform in real-world scenarios with diverse demographics, including variations in age, gender, and body morphology. This study addresses this critical gap by evaluating adaptive restraint systems aligned with the forthcoming EURO NCAP 2026 protocols, which emphasize real-world crash diversity and occupant type. Through digital studies of frontal impact scenarios, we analyze biomechanical responses using adaptive restraints across varied occupant demographics, focusing on head and chest injury (e.g., Chest Compression Criterion [CC]). This study used a Design of Experiments (DOE) approach to optimize occupant protection by timing the actuating of these adaptive systems. The results indicate that activating
satija, Anshul, Suryawanshi, Yuvraj, Chavan, Avinash, Rao, Guruprakash
Integrated Side Fairing and Crash Protection System for High Voltage EV Battery Safety2026-26-00281/16/2026
This paper presents a novel structural solution for side impact protection of high-voltage battery packs in electric trucks. While electric vehicles offer benefits like zero emissions and independence from fossil fuels, in turn present challenges in meeting crashworthiness standards and safety regulations. The device addresses the critical need for effective battery protection & styling of battery electric vehicles. The integration of a hybrid corrugated panel system with plastic side fairings is innovative, combining crashworthiness with aerodynamic and aesthetic benefits. The crash protection features two hat-section steel channels at the top and bottom and corrugated steel sheet with alternating ridges is attached to these channels. Corrugated panels are enforced with help of backing strips. This assembly is mounted on shear plates at both ends, secured to the vehicle's frame rail. During a side impact event, the plastic side fairings absorb the initial impact, crumpling easily. If
Badgujar, Prathamesh, Devendra, Awachare, Hansen, Benjamin
Single Radar: A Robust and Cost-Effective Solution for ADAS and Parking Functionality2026-26-00491/16/2026
With rapid advancements in Autonomous Driving (AD) & Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), numerous sensors are integrated in vehicles to achieve higher and reliable level of autonomy. Due to the growing number of sensors and its fusion creates complex architecture which causes challenges in calibration, cost, and system reliability. Considering the need for further ADAS advancements and addressing the challenges, this paper evaluates a novel solution called One Radar - a single radar system with a wide field of view enabled by advanced antenna design. Placing the single radar at the rear of the vehicle eliminates the need for corner radars and ultrasonic sensors used for parking assistance. With rigorous real-world testing in different urban and low-speed scenarios, the single radar solution showed comparable accuracy in object detection with warning and parking assistance to the conventional combination of corner radars and ultrasonic sensors. The simple single sensor-based
Anandan, Ram, Sharma, Akash
Optimization of Frontal Impact Force Scheme to Accelerate the Target Setting Process for Development of Front-End Structures in Vehicles2026-26-00011/16/2026
A passenger vehicle's front-end structure's structural integrity and crashworthiness are crucial to ensure compliance with various frontal impact safety standards (such as those set by Euro NCAP & IIHS). For a new front-end architecture, design targets must be defined at a component level for crush cans, longitudinal, bumper beam, subframe, suspension tower and backup structure. The traditional process of defining these targets involves multiple sensitivity studies in CAE. This paper explores the implementation of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) in component-level target setting. PINNs integrate the governing equations into neural network training, enabling data-driven models to adhere to fundamental mechanical principles. The underlying physics in our model is based upon a force scheme of a full-frontal impact. A force scheme is a one-dimensional representation of the front-end structure components that simplifies a crash event's complex physics. It uses the dimensional and
Gupta, Ishan, Bhatnagar, Abhinav, Kumar, Ayush
Thoracic Injury Mechanisms Due to Front Seatback–Rear Seat Pan Interaction in Severe Rear-Impact Collisions: A Case Study2026-26-00051/16/2026
Severe rear-impact collisions can cause significant intrusion into the occupant compartment when the structural integrity of the rear survival space is insufficient. Intrusion patterns are influenced by impact configuration—underride, in-line, or override—with underride collisions channeling forces below the beltline through the rear wheels as a primary load path. This force concentration rapidly propels the rear seat-pan forward, contacting the rearward-rotating front seatback. The resulting bottoming-out phenomenon produces a forward impulse that amplifies loading on the front occupant’s upper torso, increasing the risk of thoracic injury even when the head is properly supported by the head restraint. This study analyzes a real-world rear-impact collision that resulted in fatal thoracic injuries to the driver, attributed to the interaction between the driver’s seatback and the forward-moving rear seat pan. A vehicle-to-vehicle crash test was conducted to replicate similar intrusion
Thorbole, Chandrashekhar
Investigating Pelvic Locking and Torso Kinematics Using Human Body Models in Frontal Impact Scenarios2026-26-00021/16/2026
Occupant Safety systems are usually developed using anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs), such as the Hybrid III, THOR-50M, ES-2, and WorldSID. However, in compliance with NCAP and regulatory guidelines, these ATDs are designed for specific crash scenarios, typically frontal and side impacts involving upright occupants. As vehicles evolve (e.g., autonomous layouts, diverse occupant populations), ATDs are proving increasingly inadequate for capturing real-world injury mechanisms. This has led to the adoption of computational Human Body Models (HBMs), such as the Global Human Body Models Consortium (GHBMC) and Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS), which offer superior anatomical fidelity, variable anthropometry, active muscle behaviour modelling, and improved postural flexibility. HBMs can predict internal injuries that ATDs cannot, making them valuable tools for future vehicle safety development. This study uses a sled CAE simulation environment to analyze the kinematics of the HBMs
Raj, Pavan, Rao, Guruprakash, Pendurthi, Chaitanya Sagar, Nehe, Vaibhav, Chavan, Avinash
Pre-Crash Characteristics of Motorized Two-Wheeler Crashes on Indian Roads2026-26-00341/16/2026
India has emerged as the world’s largest market for motorized two-wheelers (M2Ws) in 2024, reflecting their deep integration into the country’s transportation fabric. However, M2Ws are also a highly vulnerable road user category as according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the fatality share of M2W riders rose alarmingly from 27% in 2011 to 44% in 2022, underlining the urgency of understanding the circumstances that lead to such crashes. This study aims to investigate the pre-crash behavior and crash-phase characteristics of M2Ws using data from the Road Accident Sampling System – India (RASSI), the country’s only in-depth crash investigation database. The analysis covers 3,632 M2Ws involved in 3,307 crash samples from 2011 to 2022, representing approximately 5 million M2Ws nationally. Key variables examined include crash configuration, collision partner, road type, pre-event movement, travel speed, and human contributing factors. The study finds that straight
Govardhan, Rohan, Padmanaban, Jeya, Jethwa, Vaishnav
Real-Time Lane Change Risk Estimation Using Extended Lane Change Risk Index (ELCRI) and Fault Tree Analysis2026-26-00401/16/2026
Accidents during lane changes are increasingly becoming a problem due to various human based and environment-based factors. Reckless driving, fatigue, bad weather are just some of these factors. This research introduces an innovative algorithm for estimating crash risk during lane changes, including the Extended Lane Change Risk Index (ELCRI). Unlike existing studies and algorithms that mainly address rear-end collisions, this algorithm incorporates exposure time risk and anticipated crash severity risk using fault tree analysis (FTA). The risks are merged to find the ELCRI and used in real time applications for lane change assist to predict if lane change is safe or not. The algorithm defines zones of interest within the current and target lanes, monitored by sensors attached to the vehicle. These sensors dynamically detect relevant objects based on their trajectories, continuously and dynamically calculating the ELCRI to assess collision risk during lane changes. Additionally
Dharmadhikari, Mithil, S, Mrudula, Nair, Nikhil, Malagi, Gangadhar, Paun, Cristin, Brown, Lowell, Korsness, Thomas
Structural Design and Simulation of Composite Metal Hybrid Based Battery Enclosure for an Electric Vehicle2026-26-03001/16/2026
Addressing the critical need for lightweight and safe energy storage solutions in electric vehicles, this paper presents the design and optimization of a novel Composite Metal Hybrid (CMH) battery pack structure. A computer aided simulation using Abaqus software was performed to optimize the weight of battery pack. The structural integrity and crashworthiness of the optimized lightweight design were rigorously evaluated under various load cases like side impact (crush), shock loading and underfloor impact. Modal analysis and load tests addressed, demonstrate the CMH battery pack as a viable and promising lightweight solution for electric vehicle applications. Manufacturing aspects are also discussed to ensure feasibility and integration.
Shah, Bijay Kumar, Singh, Pundan Kumar, G., Manikandan
An Innovative Collision Sensing Architecture for Robust Functionality of Safety Restraint Systems in Different Challenging Real World Accident Scenarios2026-26-00171/16/2026
In emerging markets, especially in India and other similar countries, the growing traffic density on the roads leads to different types of accidents, including frontal head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, side-impact collisions, collisions with fixed objects such as electric poles, trees, road guard rails, road dividers, and accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheelers. These accidents could be due to over speeding, distracted driving, violation of traffic rules, and inadequate road infrastructure etc. Providing the necessary safety restraint systems (Airbags and Seat belts) in vehicles and ensuring their robust functionality in different real-world accident scenarios will be challenging for vehicle manufacturers. It is high time to redefine the traditional collision-sensing architecture strategies with a logical approach based on a thorough study of available accident data statistics, types of objects, and scenarios leading to severe accidents. Among these, rear-end
KOVALAM, SUNIL KUMAR
Design of the BIW Structure for Battery Pack Protection in Case of Side Pole Impact2026-26-00251/16/2026
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powered vehicles, but their battery and motor components elevate their Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), posing unique collision risks. Manufacturers strategically mount the high voltage (HV) battery packs under the passenger compartment to lower the Centre of Gravity and shield them from the front impacts. However, side impacts remain a concern, as the battery deformation in such instances could trigger fires or explosions, endangering occupants. To address this, crashworthiness designs adhere to New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) standards, particularly against side pole impact and side mobile barrier impact. Unlike the frontal section of BIW, which typically has larger crush space to absorb the crash energy, extensive design attention is required to the vehicle's side structure to absorb pole impacts without transmitting excessive force to the battery pack. Utilizing aluminium extrusions and sheet
Nivesh, Dharun, Namani, Prasad, Ramaraj, Rajasekar
Geometrical Assessment of the Curtain Airbag Coverage in Indian Passenger Vehicles2026-26-00211/16/2026
Curtain airbags are the most effective protective systems to prevent severe/fatal head injuries in side collisions with narrow objects such as poles or trees. One of the important parameters of curtain airbags is the inflated zone i.e. the coverage area of the airbag, which decides the extent of head protection for occupants with different anthropometries in different seating rows. EuroNCAP first introduced the concept of Head Protection Device Assessment (HPDA) in 2015., In addition to the performance requirements in the dynamic test, EuroNCAP started assessing the deployed curtain airbag/s for its area coverage and verification of inflated zones for various anthropometries over occupant rows. In India, there is now a near total adoption of curtain airbags as standard fitment by the OEMs. Further, introduction of Bharat NCAP (BNCAP), a Perpendicular Pole Side Impact test is conducted for assessing the effectiveness of curtain airbags in a dynamic test, but currently, does not perform
Jaju, Divyan, Kulkarni, Dileep, Mahajan, Rahul
Rear-Facing Infant Seat Structural Integrity and Crashworthiness under Front Seatback Loading in Rear-Impact Collisions2026-26-05541/16/2026
Rear-facing infant seats that are positioned behind front outboard vehicle seats are at risk of being compromised by the rearward yielding of occupied front seat seatbacks during rear-impact collisions. This movement can cause the plastic shell of the infant seat to collapse and deform, increasing the risk of head injuries to the infant. Current designs of rear-facing infant seats typically do not consider the loading effects from the front seatback during rear-impact situations, which results in weak and collapsible shell structures. Moreover, regulatory compliance tests, such as FMVSS 213, do not include assessments of rear-facing infant seats under realistic rear-impact conditions. as the bench used for the regulatory test lacks realistic vehicle interior components. This study emphasizes the need for revised testing methodologies that employ sled tests with realistic seatback intrusion conditions to facilitate the development of improved infant seat designs. Research shows that
Thorbole, Chandrashekhar
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