Browse Topic: Rescue and emergency vehicles and equipment

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Ambulance Patient Compartment Seating Integrity and Occupant RestraintJ3026_202602 (Current)2/18/2026
This SAE Recommended Practice describes the testing procedures that may be used to evaluate the integrity of ground ambulance-based occupant seating and occupant restraint systems for workers and civilians transported in the patient compartment of an ambulance when exposed to a frontal or side impact. This recommended practice was based on ambulance patient compartment dynamics and is not applicable to other vehicle applications or seating positions. This recommended practice is structured to accommodate seating systems installed in multiple attitudes including, but not limited to, side-facing, rear-facing, and forward-facing. Its purpose is to provide ambulance seating manufacturers, ambulance occupant restraint manufacturers, ambulance builders, and end users with testing procedures and, where appropriate, acceptance criteria that, to a great extent, ensures the occupant seating and occupant restraint system meet similar performance criteria as FMVSS 208 requires for seat belted passengers in light vehicles. The test conditions utilized are standardized orientations that do not reflect potential conditions that may exist prior to impact such as braking and/or steering and their effects on the initial positions of the occupants and surfaces relative to the occupants. Descriptions of the test setup, test instrumentation, photographic/video coverage, text fixture, and performance metrics are included.
Truck Crashworthiness Committee
Research on Thermal Runaway Triggering Methods for Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery in Civil Aircraft2025-99-040512/10/2025
In aviation industry, compared to traditional batteries (lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries), non-rechargeable lithium batteries are usually the primary choice as independent backup power sources for emergency equipment (such as Emergency Locator Transmitter and Underwater Locator Beacon) due to excellent performance, weight/volume advantages and relatively long inspection/maintenance intervals. However, considering higher energy density and more active chemical characteristics, lithium batteries unique failure modes require special consideration in safety analysis. Among these failure modes, thermal runaway is one of the most severe failure modes of non-rechargeable lithium batteries, potentially leading to serious impact such as flame, explosion, and release of toxic and harmful gases/liquid. Therefore, it is necessary to demonstrate the containment of thermal runaway of non-rechargeable lithium batteries through equipment-level testing, and do aircraft-level safety analysis to show that the impact of thermal runaway of non-rechargeable lithium batteries is acceptable. Equipment-level tests combined aircraft-level safety analysis finally show the non-rechargeable lithium battery compliance. This article presents recommended thermal runaway triggering test methods and setups of non-rechargeable lithium batteries.
Zhang, Xiaoyu, Zheng, Jian, Yang, Dianliang, Sheng, Jiaqian
Portable Cabin Fire Extinguishers Transport AircraftARP4712B (Current)6/17/2025
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) establishes general criteria for the installation (e.g., type, location, accessibility, stowage) and crew member training needed for portable fire extinguishers.
S-9A Safety Equipment and Survival Systems Committee
2025 Ford Expedition: New friendly features and a Tremor for legit off-roading25AUTP06_156/1/2025
Ford has engineered the 2025 Expedition with an eye to putting it at the top of the large SUV class in which it has usually been a contender. With loads of tech that works well and is controlled easily, friendly features and a highly capable new Tremor off-road edition, it offers plenty of justifications for its pricing. SAE Media was hosted by Ford in Louisville, Kentucky, for a drive of various Expedition trim levels, including a first-hand view of the Tremor's off-road prowess. Among the useful features is the new Split Gate, of which the top 75% lifts like a traditional SUV liftgate. The utility comes in with the lower 25%, which drops like a truck tailgate and can support up to 500 pounds for your football tailgating or other purposes. And avoiding a potential user annoyance is available Open-on-Approach, which opens both gate portions by merely standing near the back of the Expedition. The design of the upper part of the Split Gate, by the way, evokes the apocryphal quote from Henry Ford about color options on the Model T: “Any color the customer wants, as long as it's black.” Exterior designer Jill Dougherty said the development team wanted the split gate to stand out proudly on most color combinations. The contrast is most stark on SUVs with one of the two available white body colors. For the paranoid, it sort of evokes a police vehicle from behind.
Clonts, Chris
Human-AI Interaction in Autonomous Medical Evacuation HelicoptersF-0081-2025-02825/20/2025
The vertical flight industry is on its way to a transformative era, with autonomous technologies set to alter aerial vehicle operations. While it seems certain that fully autonomous helicopters will eventually be deployed for a variety of missions, some high-stakes situations—like medical evacuations (MEDEVAC)—will for the foreseeable future demand human participation in the form of Emergency Medical Care-giving Crew. This study describes the testbed built to run and investigate hypothetical future situations in which a helicopter is autonomously piloted while a human medic with no aviation training, subjected to aviation and medical emergencies, manages patient care onboard. A total of 22 participants, with emergency medical technician certification, nursing or a medical board certification, were invited to run and evaluate the use of AI pilot (AP) in different scenarios of medical evacuation under the following emergencies: medical, empty fuel tank, pressure sensor miscalibration, and engine failure. A comprehensive evaluation of both objective and subjective performance metrics revealed that novice medical professionals could effectively execute medical evacuation operations in conjunction with an AI pilot, even during unforeseen circumstances. The analysis of response times unveiled distinct perspectives on how medics perceive and manage various emergency situations when an AP functions as a collaborative and effective team member.
Doda, Sanya, Feigh, Karen, Agbeyibor, Richard, Cortes, Carmen, Kolb, Jack, Magalhaes, Jose
Development of a New Fleet Concept for HEMS OperationsF-0081-2025-03175/20/2025
The subject of this paper is the conceptual development of two new configurations for HEMS Operations as a new fleet concept for the European theater. Previous studies showed an increase of the required flight range for an emergency patient transport. But in conjunction with an average share of less than 30% of the flights actually with the patient. In the most rescue missions an emergency physician is transported to the scene, the patients further transport is conducted on-road by an ambulance. Considering an improved flight performance, the first DLR design study revealed a growth of the maximum take-off mass of the primary rescue helicopter of 32%. That makes the rescue helicopter inefficient for the transport of only the emergency physician. Consequently, if an ambulance is already at the scene, an emergency doctor shuttle is the sensible approach. The requirements for such a configuration are developed from a feasibility study lead by the ADAC Air Rescue (ADAC Luftrettung), considering the design of a progressive multirotor configuration. This paper presents the state of the design process for both rescue configurations. This includes the definition of the external configuration, cabin design, propulsion architecture, aerodynamics, flight performance, wind tunnel test, and structural considerations.
Weiand, Peter, Atci, Kagan, Schwinn, Dominik, Becker, Richard, Reimer, Fabian, Dias Fernandes, Caio, Schneider, Oliver, Herzig, Jessica, Lindlar, Markus, Inac, Hilal, Cornelje, Sebastian, Mainz, Henning, Winkler, Line, de Graaf, Stefanie
Occupant Restraint and Equipment Mounting Integrity - Rear Impact Ambulance Patient CompartmentJ3044_202505 (Current)5/20/2025
This SAE Recommended Practice describes the test procedures for conducting rear impact occupant restraint and equipment mounting integrity tests for ambulance patient compartment applications. Its purpose is to describe crash pulse characteristics and establish recommended test procedures that will standardize restraint system and equipment mount testing for ambulances. Descriptions of the test set-up, test instrumentation, photographic/video coverage, and the test fixtures are included.
Truck Crashworthiness Committee
Occupant Restraint and Equipment Mounting Integrity - Side Impact Ambulance Patient CompartmentJ2956_202505 (Current)5/20/2025
This SAE Recommended Practice describes the test procedures for conducting side impact occupant restraint and equipment mounting integrity tests for ambulance patient compartment applications. Its purpose is to describe crash pulse characteristics and establish recommended test procedures that will standardize restraint system and equipment mounting testing for ambulances. Descriptions of the test set-up, test instrumentation, photographic/video coverage, and the test fixtures are included.
Truck Crashworthiness Committee
Methods for Laboratory Replication of Rotary-wing Air Ambulance Vibration Conditions for Neonatal Patient Transport ApplicationsF-0081-2025-00715/20/2025
Neonatal patients in need of specialized care may require transport by rotary-wing air ambulances. These patients are subjected to environmental stressors during transport, including elevated levels of mechanical vibration. Aircraft vibration is transmitted through the transport system and incubator to the patient. The unique vibration profile is dependent on vehicle model and phase of flight. To improve safety for these patients, we aim to evaluate the vibration exposure across this complex system. The purpose of this paper is to present and evaluate the methods used for aircraft data collection and replication of aircraft vibration profiles in a laboratory setting. Our current focus is on neonatal transportation in Ontario, Canada, where Leonardo AW139 helicopters are used for patient transport. AW139 field data were collected and processed to generate excitation profiles for discrete phases of flight. The vehicle data were used to drive a series of laboratory shaker-table experiments, in three axes, to evaluate the response of different configurations of the transport system. We present the methods used to simulate transport conditions, from vehicle data collection to laboratory shaker experimentation, and evaluate the behavior of the test apparatus. The simulated motion has been verified against the aircraft data to identify sources of error in the experimental setup. Some limitations in the shaker and control system present inherent differences in the input and response; however, it was found that the greatest spectral error occurred outside the frequency range of interest (>80 Hz), and that the shaker controller successfully replicates the energy levels recorded in the aircraft. The shaker experiment results, such as the response of the transport system and incubator, will be analysed in future work to identify equipment configurations and/or modifications which can reduce neonatal patient vibration exposure during rotary-wing transportation.
Gibb, Keely, Francis, Navin, Law, Andrew, Gerson, Eleanor, Greenwood, Kim, Ibey, Andrew A. M., Ngoie, Jean, Redpath, Stephanie, Chan, Adrian D. C., Green, James R., Langlois, Robert G., Chen, Eric
Letter from the Guest Editors12-08-02-00115/6/2025
Letter from the Guest Editors
Liang, Ci, Törngren, Martin
Research on Seakeeping Performance of Amphibious Rescue Vehicle Based on CFD2025-01-87954/1/2025
Amphibious vehicles are widely used in civil and military scenarios due to their excellent driving performance in water and on land, unique application scenarios and rapid response capabilities. In the field of civil rescue, the hydrodynamic performance of amphibious vehicles directly affects the speed and accuracy of rescue, and is also related to the life safety of rescuers. In the existing research on the hydrodynamic performance of amphibious vehicles, seakeeping performance has always been the focus of research by researchers and amphibious vehicle manufacturers, but most of the existing research focuses on the navigation performance of amphibious vehicles in still water. In actual application scenarios, amphibious vehicles often face complex water conditions when performing emergency rescue tasks, so it is very important to study the navigation performance of amphibious vehicles in waves. Aiming at the goal of studying the navigation performance of amphibious vehicles in waves, this paper first establishes a simplified model of amphibious vehicle. Then, based on computational fluid dynamics numerical simulation, the seakeeping performance of amphibious vehicles at different speeds and wavelengths were studied by using overlapping grid and numerical wave generation methods. Then obtained the data of resistance, vertical acceleration of the center of gravity, pitch and heave at different speed and wavelength, and the flow field and free surface waveform of the amphibious vehicle were also obtained. The results show that the driving resistance of low-speed amphibious vehicle in water increases with the increase of speed. With the increase of speed, the vertical acceleration RAO of the center of gravity, pitch RAO and heave RAO of the amphibious vehicle will also increase. The ratio of wavelength to vehicle length also has a profound influence on the longitudinal motion of amphibious vehicles. The maximum value of vertical acceleration RAO of the center of gravity appears when λ/L is 3.5, but the pitch RAO and heave RAO increase when value of λ/L increases.
Zhang, Yu
Effects of Emergency Vehicle Warning Lighting System Characteristics on Driver Perception and Behavior09-13-01-00032/28/2025
Secondary crashes, including struck-by incidents are a leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among emergency responders, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical service providers. The introduction of light-emitting diode (LED) sources and advanced lighting control systems provides a wide range of options for emergency lighting configurations. This study investigated the impact of lighting color, intensity, modulation, and flash rate on driver behavior while traversing a traffic incident scene at night. The impact of retroreflective chevron markings in combination with lighting configurations, as well as the measurement of “moth-to-flame” effects of emergency lighting on drivers was also investigated. This human factors study recruited volunteers to drive a closed course traffic incident scene, at night under various experimental conditions. The simulated traffic incident was designed to replicate a fire apparatus in the center-block position. The incident scene was complemented with a cone taper extending from the driver-side buffer to the edge of the roadway. The results indicate that higher-intensity lights were judged consistently as more glaring, but were only rated as marginally more visible. The rated visibility of the lights appears to be related to the perceived saturation of the color, while discomfort glare is related to the amount of short-wavelength spectral content. The results also suggest that the presence of highly reflective markings may decrease drivers’ ability to see first responders working adjacent to their vehicles.
Bullough, John D., Parr, Scott, Hiebner, Emily, Sblendorio, Alec
EMGLight: A Joint Optimization Method for Emergency Signal Priority and Recovery Based on DDPG2025-01-71242/21/2025
The rapid response of emergency vehicles (EVs) is crucial in safeguarding lives and property during emergencies. However, conventional traffic signal control methods for EV priority often disrupt normal traffic flow, leading to significant delays for general vehicles and decreased overall traffic efficiency. This study proposes EMGLight, a novel traffic signal control framework based on Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG), to optimize EV priority and signal recovery jointly. By leveraging DDPG's ability to handle continuous action spaces, EMGLight achieves fine-grained control over traffic signals, adapting dynamically to real-time traffic conditions. Additionally, a dynamic reward mechanism is introduced, balancing EV priority with the recovery needs of general traffic. Simulation results demonstrate that EMGLight outperforms traditional fixed-cycle and greedy preemption methods, significantly reducing EV travel time while minimizing the adverse impact on general traffic flow. This approach highlights the potential of reinforcement learning to enhance emergency urban traffic resilience.
Jiang, Xin, Zhang, Jian, Qian, Yu
Operation of Advanced Flying Wing UAV: Examination of Structural Performance under Aberrant Pressure and Thermal Loading Conditions with Integrated Computational Study2025-28-00602/7/2025
The objective of this research is to present a novel variant of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with an advanced flying wing configuration capable of detecting and rescuing individuals affected by avalanches. This leads to testing of the UAV, to identify if it can operate efficiently at the intended temperature and atmospheric conditions. Typically, UAVs can operate in a broad spectrum of temperatures. Regions prone to avalanches would experience near-cryogenic temperatures. The notion is investigated and tested in this specific scenario. The chosen location is Siachen, where temperatures can become as low as -25 degree Celsius (°C). It has been proven that a thermal camera aids the UAV to detect the distinct body heat signatures of individuals who are trapped under snow. The selection of wing, propeller, and vertical stabilizer airfoils is guided by standard analytical calculations, while the overall model is developed using 3D EXPERIENCE. The computational tests are conducted using ANSYS Workbench software to determine the aerodynamic forces acting on the flying wing UAV under several conditions, such as maximum maneuvering working conditions, and average forward speed at extremely low thermal conditions. The outcomes of these tests are validated by the experimental testing of a tapered wing in a subsonic wind tunnel. The selection of suitable lightweight material for the low-temperature application is accomplished through the utilization of Fluid structure and thermal interaction analysis where, in addition to pressure load, temperature load has also been imported by using one-way coupling approach to identify the deformation due to the temperature loadings. To conduct a comparative analysis of the results, the displacements, stresses, strains, and strain energies-based conditions characterized by extremely low temperature levels are calculated for different composite materials. According to the comprehensive approach mentioned, the carbon fiber composite families perform much better than other polymer composite families. The carbon fiber derivative GY-70 exhibits superior performance compared to other lightweight materials. Additionally, AS carbon fibre-based composite reacted with less structural outcome under thermal loading conditions.
Veeraperumal Senthil Nathan, Janani Priyadharshini, Pisharam, Akhila Ajith, Sourirajan, Laxana, Baskar, Sundhar, Vinayagam, Gopinath, Stanislaus Arputharaj, Beena, L, Natrayan, Sakthivel, Pradesh, Raja, Vijayanandh
Individual Inflatable Life PreserverAS1354 (Current)11/21/2024
This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) provides the minimum design and performance requirements for individual, inflatable life preservers, divided into six categories: “Adult,” “Adult-Child,” “Child,” “Infant-Small Child,” “Adult-Child-Infant-Small Child,” and “Demonstration.”
S-9A Safety Equipment and Survival Systems Committee
Vehicle Experience and Human Interaction: Vol. 1EPRCOMPV1720235/3/2024
Connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) and their productization are a major focus of the automotive and mobility industries as a whole. However, despite significant investments in this technology, CAVs are still at risk of collisions, particularly in unforeseen circumstances or “edge cases.” It is also critical to ensure that redundant environmental data are available to provide additional information for the autonomous driving software stack in case of emergencies. Additionally, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies can be included in discussions on safer autonomous driving design. Recently, there has been a slight increase in interest in the use of responder-to-vehicle (R2V) technology for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. R2V technology allows for the exchange of information between different types of responder vehicles, including CAVs. It can be used in collision avoidance or emergency situations involving CAV responder vehicles. The benefits of R2V are not limited to fully autonomous vehicles (e.g., SAE Level 4), but can also be used in Level 2 CAV scenarios. However, despite the potential benefits of R2V, discussions on this topic are still limited. This chapter aims to provide an overview of R2V technology and its applications for CAV systems, particularly in the context of collision-avoidance features. The responder vehicles in question can be autonomous or non-autonomous. It is hoped that it will provide valuable information and knowledge on vehicle connectivity and automation in the current automotive and mobility ecosystem, enabling the development of safer and more reliable autonomous driving technology. The chapter is intended for both industrial and academic experts and is expected to stimulate further discussions on the development and standardization of R2V technology.
Abdul Hamid, Umar Zakir, Roth, Christian, Nickerson, Jeffrey, Lyytinen, Kalle, King, John Leslie
Responses to Flashing Warning Lights and Colors of Service Vehicles2024-01-22294/9/2024
Flashing warning lights and vehicle markings of various colors are used on a wide range of emergency and other service vehicles to help inform drivers about the presence of these vehicles and the types of situations that drivers are approaching. Although not applied consistently among all jurisdictions, the colors and performance of these visual elements are often selected to help communicate the type of scenario (such as red flashing lights to indicate an emergency vehicle, or yellow flashing lights to indicate a non-emergency service vehicle). Previous investigations have shown that flashing light colors, vehicle and marking colors, and flashing temporal characteristics (e.g., rapid versus slower flashing) can all affect a driver’s perception of whether a vehicle along the road is responding to an emergency situation or not. Building on previous research, a laboratory study was carried out to investigate how drivers perceive scale-model roadway scenarios including different numbers of vehicles varying in their colors, and with flashing lights modulating at different intensity levels and flash frequencies. For each scenario, observers were asked whether as drivers they would proceed with caution past the scene or prepare to slow down or stop. Observers’ responses were recorded, and the time taken to provide a response was also recorded as a measure of certainty/uncertainty. Overall, the results show that coordinating the presence and color of flashing lights with the colors of vehicles and their markings are among the primary cues used by drivers to assess whether a roadside incident scene is an emergency situation or not. The results also provide suggestions for using flashing lights when multiple vehicles are present to reinforce consistent judgments among drivers.
Bullough, John D., Skinner, Nicholas P., Rea, Mark S.
Ambulance Patient Compartment Seated Occupant Excursion Zone EvaluationJ3059_202401 (Current)1/19/2024
This SAE Information Report describes the testing and reporting procedures that may be used to evaluate and document the excursion of a worker or civilian when transported in a seated and restrained position in the patient compartment of a ground ambulance when exposed to a front, side, or rear impact. Its purpose is to provide seating and occupant restraint manufacturers, ambulance builders, and end-users with testing procedures and documentation methods needed to identify head travel paths in crash loading events. This is a component level test. The seating system is tested in free space to measure maximum head travel paths. The purpose is not to identify stay out zones. Rather, the goal is to provide ambulance manufacturers with the data needed to design safer and functionally sound workstations for Emergency Medical Service workers so that workers are better able to safely perform patient care tasks in a moving ambulance. Descriptions of the test set-up, test instrumentation, photographic/video coverage, text fixture, and reporting requirements are included.
Truck Crashworthiness Committee
Rationale for Replacement of Pyrotechnic Signaling Devices in Survival Kits on Transport Category Aircraft Life Rafts and Slide-RaftsAIR5690A (Current)11/16/2023
This SAE Aerospace Information Report (AIR) identifies the risks and dangers associated with the carriage and use of pyrotechnic signaling devices in transport category aircraft life rafts and slide/rafts, and provides a rationale for allowing the use of alternative non-pyrotechnic devices authorized by FAA/TSO-C168. These devices offer an equivalent level of safety while eliminating flight safety risks, enhancing survivability of aircraft ditching survivors, reducing costs, eliminating dangerous goods transportation and handling issues, and reducing environmental impact of dangerous goods disposal.
S-9A Safety Equipment and Survival Systems Committee
The Use of eVTOL Aircraft for First Responder, Police, and Medical Transport ApplicationsEPR20230209/26/2023
Advancements in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry. One particularly promising application involves on-demand, rapid-response use cases to broaden first responders, police, and medical transport mission capabilities. With the dynamic and varying public service operations, eVTOL aircraft can offer potentially cost-effective aerial mobility components to the overall solution, including significant lifesaving benefits. The Use of eVTOL Aircraft for First Responder, Police, and Medical Transport Applications discusses the challenges need to be addressed before identified capabilities and benefits can be realized at scale: Mission-specific eVTOL vehicle development Operator- and patient-specific accommodations Detect-and-avoid capabilities in complex and challenging operating environments Autonomous and artificial intelligence-enhanced mission capabilities Home-base charging systems for battery power platforms Simplified operator and support training Vehicle/fleet maintenance and support Acceptance and participation from stakeholder services, local and state-level leadership, field operators, and support team members Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio.
Doo, Johnny
Passenger Safety Information SystemARP1384E (Current)6/5/2023
These recommendations are to aid the international air transport industry by identifying a standard, minimum amount of safety instructions and procedures that should be provided in the PSIS. Aircraft operators are encouraged to customize the PSIS to their own operations. This document also provides recommendations for: a Passenger safety information briefings and associated materials, b Demonstration emergency equipment, c Ensuring passenger suitability for those seated in exit seats, d The standardization of safety briefings for passengers seated at exits who may be responsible for opening exits on transport aircraft during an emergency, and e A standardized protective brace position to reduce the severity of injury during severe turbulence, rapid deceleration, or a sudden impact. In addition, these recommendations pertain to briefings on aircraft on which the cabin crew would conduct the exit seat briefing, and to briefings on aircraft without cabin crew, on which pilots would conduct the briefing.
S-9B Cabin Interiors and Furnishings Committee
Demonstration Emergency EquipmentARP6239A (Current)6/2/2023
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) recommends the design and features of aircraft demonstration emergency equipment for use in passenger safety briefings.
S-9B Cabin Interiors and Furnishings Committee
Cabin Crew Rest FacilitiesARP6503A (Current)5/17/2023
This document provides guidance for in-flight rest facilities provided for use by cabin crew on commercial transport airplane. This document is applicable to dedicated cabin crew rest facilities with rigid walls. The facility includes a bunk or other surface that allows for a flat sleeping position, is located in an area that is temperature-controlled, allows the crew member to control light, and provides isolation from noise and disturbance.
S-9B Cabin Interiors and Furnishings Committee
Responder-to-Vehicle Technologies for Connected and Autonomous VehiclesEPR20230105/15/2023
Recently, there has been a slight increase in interest in the use of responder-to-vehicle (R2V) technology for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. R2V technology allows for the exchange of information between different types of responder vehicles, including connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). It can be used in collision avoidance or emergency situations involving CAV responder vehicles. The benefits of R2V are not limited to fully autonomous vehicles (e.g., SAE Level 4), but can also be used in Level 2 CAV scenarios. However, despite the potential benefits of R2V, discussions on this topic are still limited. Responder-to-Vehicle Technologies for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles aims to provide an overview of R2V technology and its applications for CAV systems, particularly in the context of collision avoidance features. The responder vehicles in question can be autonomous or non-autonomous. It is hoped that it will provide valuable information and knowledge on vehicle connectivity and automation in the current automotive and mobility ecosystem, enabling the development of safer and more reliable autonomous driving technology. The report is intended for both industrial and academic experts and is expected to stimulate further discussions on the development and standardization of R2V technology. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio.
Abdul Hamid, Umar Zakir
Optimization of Aluminum Sleeve Design for the tow eye Durability Using DFSS Approach2023-01-00924/11/2023
The automotive industry is moving towards larger SUVs and also electrification is a need to meet the carbon neutrality target. As a result, we see an increase in overall gross vehicle weight (GVW), with the additional weight coming from the HV battery pack, electric powertrain, and other electrical systems. Tow-eye is an essential component that is provided with every vehicle to use for towing during an emergency vehicle breakdown. The tow-eye is usually connected to the retainer/sleeve available in the bumper system and towed using the recovery vehicle or other car with towing provision. Therefore, the tow-eye should meet the functional targets under standard operating conditions. This study is mainly for cars with bumper and tow-eye sleeves made of aluminum which is used in the most recent development of vehicles for weight-saving opportunities. Tow-eye systems in aluminum bumpers are designed to avoid any bending or buckling of the sleeve during towing for whatever the GVW loads. So that the vehicle doesn’t face any tow-eye system failure, which would prevent another car from towing the breakdown vehicle and would need special roadside assistance to take it for servicing. This paper uses the Design For Six Sigma (Taguchi Method) approach to identify the potential control factors (from the benchmarking study) to optimize the tow-eye sleeve to withstand higher GVW load without functional loss. Furthermore, this approach proved that the selected optimum design is less sensitive to noise factors such as aluminum property variation, bumper beam thickness variation, and load direction variation. The learnings from this paper will help to reduce the development time and cost by implementing the robust sleeve design in the early stage of the program.
Fahir, Ahamed, Choudhari, Satish, Michalowski, Krzysztof
Transforming the vehicle into a microphone23AUTP04_104/1/2023
When an emergency vehicle is approaching but its blaring siren isn't heard by nearby motorists, all are at risk. Engineers at Harman International have developed novel sensor technology that detects both the sound and its direction, in effect piping that screaming siren into vehicles so-equipped, to alert the driver. “What we're in essence doing is turning the vehicle into a giant microphone,” Mitul Jhala, senior director of automotive embedded audio for Harman, explained in an SAE Media interview.
Buchholz, Kami
Emergency, Instruction, and Information Placards - Internal and ExternalARP577F (Current)8/5/2022
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) specifies criteria for the design, development, standardization, and comprehension testing of placards containing pictures, drawings, symbols, and/or written instructions for locating and operating aircraft emergency equipment. This ARP also provides guidance in the selection and implementation of warning placards intended to instruct occupants inside, and rescue personnel outside, the aircraft.
S-9B Cabin Interiors and Furnishings Committee
Simulation Enabling Autonomous Vehicles to Better Hear Emergency Vehicles2022-01-09406/15/2022
Autonomous vehicles need to be able to detect and react to the approach of emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances. Exterior acoustic sensors may be deployed to “listen” for sirens of these emergency vehicles. Unfortunately, wind noise from turbulence at cruising conditions can greatly interfere with these exterior sensors. Early assessment of wind noise at alternative sensor locations enables engineers to make design changes to reduce that wind noise, either by choosing quieter sensor locations or by changing the source of interfering turbulence. A computational approach to evaluate the wind noise due to exterior shape at acoustic sensor locations is demonstrated in this paper. By comparing simulated spectra of wind noise at each proposed sensor location to that from a nearby siren signal, designers can rank sensor locations for acoustic detection in different frequency bands. Transient, compressible CFD using the Lattice-Boltzmann Method is applied to an autonomous vehicle model to predict wind noise and siren noise at sensor locations. Detailed flow analysis is performed to identify design changes that reduce the interfering wind noise, and to explain in a visual and intuitive manner why some sensor locations perform better than others.
Powell, Robert, Dasarathan, Devaraj, Senthooran, Sivapalan
Flow Visualization and Particle Dispersion Measurements Inside an Ambulance Rear Saloon while Stationary and in Motion02-15-04-00234/7/2022
The following article presents flow field and particle dispersion data from a United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS) ambulance, under static and dynamic driving conditions and when using different ventilation modes. Data were recorded using laser sheet flow visualization, particle image velocimetry (PIV), and hot wire anemometry from a common plane positioned about the patient centerline. Results indicated a significant influence of the ceiling fan ventilation system on gross flow field behavior, with the ventilation fan on extract or intake mode. With either ventilation mode, flow velocities in the patient region were found to double from a quiescent condition to around 50-100 mm/s. Particle dispersion data also showed dispersion decay rates over five times faster when using the ceiling fan extraction system. All these results were consistent when the vehicle was stationary or driving at a constant speed of 60 mph. However, with the vehicle under dynamic driving conditions, such as acceleration or braking, the regular flow patterns were substantially disrupted, with the bulk movement of the flow in the direction of the acceleration or braking action. Under these dynamic conditions, the magnitude of the net velocity change on the fluid exceeded any flow generated from the ceiling ventilation system.
Lawson, Nicholas John, Blackburn, Kim, Sherwood, Glenn, Brighton, James, Atkinson, Helen Valerie
Flashing Emergency Lights: Influence of Intensity, Flash Rate and Synchronization on Driver Visibility, Comfort and Confidence2022-01-08013/29/2022
Flashing emergency and warning lights are critical elements of public safety and traffic control during roadway incidents. These lights should not only alert drivers to their presence, but also should inform them of who and what is present on the scene, and should help to manage the responses of drivers as they navigate past the incident. First responder and driver safety depend upon all three of these functions, yet standards focus almost entirely on alerting drivers. A full-scale outdoor field study was carried out during daytime, during nighttime on dry pavement and during nighttime on wet pavement, using a mock-up roadside scene containing three police vehicles. The lights on the vehicles were adjusted to produce different levels of intensity, flash rate, and synchronization of lights across all three vehicles. In some cases, sequentially flashing lights were present. Upon viewing different combination of these factors, observers in stationary vehicles were asked to identify the location of a silhouette of a police officer randomly placed within the scene (to measure the lights’ ability to inform drivers) and to rate the attention-getting properties of the lights (to measure their ability to alert drivers), their perceptions of visual comfort and how confidently they would be able to drive around or past the lights (glare and confidence are measures of the lights’ ability to help manage drivers). The results build on previous research indicating that high intensities during the daytime but reduced intensities at night can alert drivers. They also suggest that slower, synchronized flashing, and sequential flashing lights can be used appropriately to inform and manage drivers navigating past roadside incident scenes.
Bullough, John D., Miller, Bradley D., Baker, Douglas V., Rea, Mark S.
Cryptographic Verification Method for an Emergency Vehicle to Non-Emergency Vehicle Communication2022-01-01183/29/2022
An emergency vehicle is one of the critical vehicles designed by the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to support the emergency assistance and maintenance for different emergency situations such as fire, health, etc. These vehicles are provided a special provision by the legal authorities to bypass the road traffic scenarios and guidelines. The special provisions mainly include a co-operation of the non-emergency vehicles on the road for providing a smooth provision for the emergency vehicles to move, bypassing of traffic signals, etc. Sometimes, the intruders utilize these provisions to hide their original identities by utilizing the emergency vehicles for their transportation. The vehicles utilized by intruders for this purpose are the illegitimate ones, which are carried by attackers for illegal purposes, but they possess the same external appearances and special alerting system as the legitimate emergency vehicles. Hence, these fake vehicles pose a serious challenge to the legal authorities as well as the other vehicles on the road who got fooled by assisting them using their special co-operative assistance system. In this regard, here an approach is proposed to detect these emergency fake emergency vehicles using the cryptography verification associated vehicular communication system. In the proposed system, the non-emergency vehicles verify the authenticity with the emergency vehicles using the cryptographic verification over the Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) channel before assisting them for emergency movement. Finally, the proposed system help the non-emergency vehicles by not assisting the intruder emergency vehicles and by assisting the legitimate vehicles on the road infrastructure.
Ansari, Asadullah, D H, Sharath, P.C., Karthik, Uddin, Saif, Aziz, Mohammad, Adlagadda, Divakar
Cabin Crew StationsARP583K (Historical)3/16/2022
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) provides guidance for the design and location of cabin crew stations, including emergency equipment installations at or near such stations, so as to enable the cabin crew to function effectively in emergency situations, including emergency evacuations. Recommendations regarding design of cabin crew stations apply to all such stations; recommendations regarding location apply to those stations located near or adjacent to floor level exits.
S-9B Cabin Interiors and Furnishings Committee
Cryptographic verification method for an emergency vehicle to non-emergency vehicle communicationSAE-PP-002312/1/2022
An emergency vehicle is one of the critical vehicles designed by the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to support the emergency assistance and maintenance for different emergency situations such as fire, health, etc. These vehicles are provided a special provision by the legal authorities to bypass the road traffic scenarios and guidelines. The special provisions mainly include a co-operation of the non-emergency vehicles on the road for providing a smooth provision for the emergency vehicles to move, bypassing of traffic signals, etc. Sometimes, the intruders utilize these provisions to hide their original identities by utilizing the emergency vehicles for their transportation. The vehicles utilized by intruders for this purpose are the illegitimate ones, which are carried by attackers for illegal purposes, but they possess the same external appearances and special alerting system as the legitimate emergency vehicles. Hence, these fake vehicles pose a serious challenge to the legal authorities as well as the other vehicles on the road who got fooled by assisting them using their special co-operative assistance system. In this regard, here an approach is proposed to detect these emergency fake emergency vehicles using the cryptography verification associated vehicular communication system. In the proposed system, the non-emergency vehicles verify the authenticity with the emergency vehicles using the cryptographic verification over the Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) channel before assisting them for emergency movement. Finally, the proposed system help the non-emergency vehicles by not assisting the intruder emergency vehicles and by assisting the legitimate vehicles on the road infrastructure.
Ansari, Asadullah, D H, Sharath, P.C., Karthik, Uddin, Saif, Aziz, Mohammad, Adlagadda, Divakar
Aviation Fuel FacilitiesARP5789A (Current)1/14/2022
This document contains general criteria for the planning, design, and construction of military and commercial ground based aviation fueling facilities that receive, store, distribute, and dispense liquid aviation turbine fuels at airports to both fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
AE-5C Aviation Ground Fueling Systems Committee
Hand-Held Cabin Fire Extinguishers Transport AircraftARP4712A (Historical)9/29/2021
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) establishes general criteria for the installation (e.g., type, location, accessibility, stowage) and crew member training needed for hand-held fire extinguishers.
S-9A Safety Equipment and Survival Systems Committee
The Navigator21AVEP09_029/1/2021
More than five years after Joshua Brown's death, life signs are emerging at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Brown was decapitated when his Tesla Model S drove itself under a tractor-trailer while he wasn't paying attention. In the intervening years, there have been dozens of crashes where Tesla's Autopilot advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) setup was active. Until recently, NHTSA has done nothing to reign in how Tesla and other automakers deploy such systems. Just weeks after the agency issued an order for all companies developing or deploying partially or highly automated driving systems to report all crashes, it has opened (as of this writing in mid-August) a formal investigation into Teslas slamming into parked emergency vehicles. Sadly, the meme of Tesla's plowing into the back of fire trucks and police cars on the side of the road has become something of a running joke in the last few years. The new NHTSA investigation is specifically focused on at least 11 such incidents. Chances are similar that incidents have occurred with other OEMs' vehicles as well, but at this point we simply don't have the data to know. I recently asked General Motors' Duncan Aldred, the global VP of GMC and Buick, if there have been any crashes with vehicles where the automaker's hands-free Super Cruise system was active. He sidestepped the question, providing no response.
Oxygen Considerations for High Elevation Airport Operations (HEAO)AIR6829 (Current)8/26/2021
This document covers information concerning the use of oxygen when flying into and out of high elevation airports for both pressurized and non-pressurized aircraft. Oxygen requirements for pressurized aircraft operating at high altitudes have for decades emphasized the potential failures that could lead to a loss of cabin pressurization coupled with the potential severe hypoxic hazard that decompressions represent. This document is intended to address the case where the relationship between cabin and ambient pressures are complicated by operations at high terrestrial altitudes. Operators who fly into these high-altitude airports should address the issues related to this environment because it carries the potential for insidious hypoxia and other conditions which can affect safety. It provides information to consider in developing operational procedures to address hypoxia concerns consistent with regulatory mandates. In some sections, procedures are discussed that may mitigate the deleterious effects of hypoxia in a non-flight regime yet still have the potential to represent risk factors associated with flight operations. All the information is provided as a framework for potential oxygen management and other procedures to facilitate responsible practices and facilitate compliance with existing regulatory requirements. This document cannot address every type aircraft pressurization system, oxygen system or operational condition the flight may encounter. Any threat or hazard not discussed in AIR6829 should be brought to the attention of the OEM, the regulatory authority and the flight operations department for proper guidance.
A-10 Aircraft Oxygen Equipment Committee
Safety Considerations of Carry-On Baggage Relating to the Emergency Evacuation of Transport Category AircraftARP4072A (Current)5/20/2021
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) provides information and recommended guidelines for handling carry-on baggage prior to emergencies and during the emergency evacuation of transport category aircraft. Recommendations are provided on limiting the size, amount, and weight of carry-on baggage brought into the cabin, improved stowage of carry-on baggage to minimize hazards to passengers in flight and during emergency evacuations, and procedures to ensure carry-on baggage is not removed during an emergency evacuation.
S-9B Cabin Interiors and Furnishings Committee
Design and Performance Criteria Aircraft Crash AxesAS5402A (Current)4/23/2021
This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) provides design criteria and performance tests for crash axes intended for use by aircraft crew members to assist in evacuation, extrication, fire fighting, or other emergency activities.
S-9A Safety Equipment and Survival Systems Committee
Assessment of Novel V2X Applications Using a Simulation Platform2021-01-01154/6/2021
Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technology has been studied extensively in the past years. Limited pilot and production deployments, and research work have demonstrated V2X benefits. These include improvement to safety, mobility conditions and environmental benefits. Several safety and mobility applications have been investigated in literature. Nonetheless, V2X holds a potential for broader innovation in connected and automated vehicle applications. Feasibility assessment and algorithm validation of such applications may prove to be challenging. This results from costs associated with test track rental and equipping vehicles with V2X technology. Besides, limited V2X penetration rate leads to unavailability of naturalistic testing environment. In this paper, we investigate the use of the autonomous vehicle simulation, named Carla, for V2X application validation. Carla is an open source project that we altered to enable V2X applications assessment. We built a V2X virtualization platform, by modifying Carla, to enable an On-Board Unit (OBU) in the loop testing. Our work builds on the advances of the autonomous vehicle simulation by developing a V2X interface to link to an external OBU. Examples for such advances include, physical phenomena and sensors representation. Two applications were studied as use cases: Emergency Vehicle Alert (EVA) and High Beam Assist (HBA). True positive, false negative and Time To Collision (TTC) metrics were used to assess the applications performance. Basic application testing shows a true positive rate of more than 97% and a false negative rate of less than 1% for EVA and HBA. A GPS inaccuracy tolerance test was performed to demonstrate the versatility of this implementation. A random error with predetermined variance was injected to the GPS coordinates of the vehicle in the simulation. In addition, effects of lossy channel were studied by varying the Packet Error Rate (PER). Results from the GPS and lossy channel tests are shared in the text.
Rajab, Samer, Miucic, Radovan
Aviation Visual Distress Signals (AVDS)AS5134C (Current)8/25/2020
This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) provides minimum performance and design standards for a handheld, high-intensity, flashing Aviation Visual Distress Signal (AVDS) based on light-emitting-diode (LED) technology operating simultaneously in visible (white) and near infrared (NIR) spectra designed to facilitate location and rescue of aviation accident/ditching survivors in open sea conditions.
S-9A Safety Equipment and Survival Systems Committee
AIRLIFT: ENABLING BLAST PROTECTION AND RAPID, STABILIZED VEHICLE EXTRACTION2024-01-38338/11/2020
ABSTRACT The AirLift is a novel device that enables rapid stabilized extraction of injured personnel from a ground vehicle. When deployed from its pre-installed position as a seat cover, the AirLift rigidizes for stabilizing the occupant’s spine by pressurizing an inflatable panel. After extraction from the vehicle with the occupant stabilized in the seated position, the AirLift can convert to a backboard so that the occupant can be safely transported in the supine position. The inflatable panel was designed and tested to provide stiffness while also being durable and manufacturable at volume. Pressure mapping tests were also performed to demonstrate that the AirLift did not change seat comfort compared to the standard seat. Citation: A. Purekar, G. Hiemenz, P. Gillis, “AirLift: Enabling Blast Protection and Rapid, Stabilized Vehicle Extraction”, In Proceedings of the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS), NDIA, Novi, MI, Aug. 11-13, 2020.
Purekar, Ashish, Hiemenz, Gregory, Gillis, Paula
Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Cooperative Driving Automation for On-Road Motor VehiclesJ3216_202005 (Historical)5/7/2020
This document describes machine-to-machine (M2M) communication to enable cooperation between two or more participating entities or communication devices possessed or controlled by those entities. The cooperation supports or enables performance of the dynamic driving task (DDT) for a subject vehicle with driving automation feature(s) engaged. Other participants may include other vehicles with driving automation feature(s) engaged, shared road users (e.g., drivers of manually operated vehicles or pedestrians or cyclists carrying personal devices), or road operators (e.g., those who maintain or operate traffic signals or workzones). Cooperative driving automation (CDA) aims to improve the safety and flow of traffic and/or facilitate road operations by supporting the movement of multiple vehicles in proximity to one another. This is accomplished, for example, by sharing information that can be used to influence (directly or indirectly) DDT performance by one or more nearby road users. Vehicles and infrastructure elements engaged in cooperative automation may share information, such as state (e.g., vehicle position, signal phase), intent (e.g., planned vehicle trajectory, signal timing), or seek agreement on a plan (e.g., coordinated merge). Cooperation among multiple participants and perspectives in traffic can improve safety, mobility, situational awareness, and operations. However, nothing in this document is intended to suggest that driving automation requires such cooperation in order to be performed safely. Cooperative strategies may be enabled by the sharing of information in a way that meets the needs of a given application. The needs may be expressed in terms of performance characteristics, such as latency, transmission mode (e.g., one-way, two-way), range, privacy and security, and information content and quality. There are several potential technologies for communicating information between the subject vehicle and other participants. This document focuses on application-oriented functionality and does not imply the need for or require any specific functionality associated with communications protocols or the open systems interconnection model layers in a protocol stack. This document addresses the operational and tactical timescales of dynamic driving on ADS-operated vehicles, and excludes strategic functions such as trip scheduling and selection of destinations and waypoints. This information report is intended to facilitate communication and awareness for the design and anticipated development and validation of cooperative driving automation.
Cooperative Driving Automation(CDA) Committee
NASA Space Data Can Cut Disaster Response Times, CostsTBMG-361403/1/2020
In the first NASA study to calculate the value of using satellite data in disaster scenarios, researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Center in Maryland, calculated the time that could have been saved if ambulance drivers and other emergency responders had near real-time information about flooded roads, using the 2011 Southeast Asian floods as a case study. Ready access to this information could have saved an average of nine minutes per emergency response and potential millions of dollars, they said. The study is a first step in developing a model to deploy in future disasters, according to the researchers.
New Solution to Elderly Falls: Drones, Smartphones and SensorsTBMG-361543/1/2020
A new system has been designed by a team of researchers from Iraq and the University of South Australia to remotely monitor elderly people, detecting abnormalities in their heart rate and temperature that can lead to falls, and provide urgent first aid via a drone if a fall occurs.
Flight Deck Interior Doors for Transport AircraftARP4101/8A (Current)2/18/2020
This document recommends criteria for standardizing flight deck interior doors and their operation to optimize their use under normal and emergency conditions.
S-7 Flight Deck Handling Qualities Stds for Trans Aircraft
A Novel Metaheuristic for Adaptive Signal Timing Optimization Considering Emergency Vehicle Preemption and Tram Priority09-07-02-00079/24/2019
In this article, a novel hybrid metaheuristic based on passing vehicle search (PVS) cultural algorithm (CA) is proposed. This contribution has a twofold aim: First is to present the new hybrid PVS-CA. Second is to prove the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for adaptive signal timing optimization. For this, a system that can adapt efficiently to the real-time traffic situation based on priority signal control is developed. Hence, Transit Signal Priority (TSP) techniques have been used to adjust signal phasing in order to serve emergency vehicles (EVs) and manage the tram priority in a coordinated tram intersection. The system used in this study provides cyclic signal operation based on a real-time control approach, including an optimization process and a database to manage the sensor data from detectors for real-time predictions of EV and tram arrival time. Then, a simulation model is developed using Arena Simulation Software to evaluate best timing plans at the intersection.
Alami Chentoufi, Maryam, Ellaia, Rachid
Design and Performance Criteria Transport Aircraft Portable MegaphonesAS4950B (Current)8/22/2019
This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) provides design criteria and performance tests for portable, handheld, battery-powered, electronic megaphones used by aircraft crew members to provide information and guidance in the event of an aircraft emergency or other non-routine situation.
S-9A Safety Equipment and Survival Systems Committee
RDS Phrase ListsJ2540/1_201906 (Current)6/11/2019
This SAE Standard provides a table of textual messages meeting the requirements for expressing “Radio Data Systems” (RDS) phrases commonly used in the ITS industry. They can be used both over the RDS subcarrier transmission media as part of a 37-bit long “Group 8a message” as well as being used to provide a common content list of phrases used in a wide number of other media and applications. This document SHALL define the normative index values to be used, extending the CEN established list to provide phrases needed by US practitioners. This standard provides non-normative textual phrases which MAY be used by implementers to ensure intelligible results. This document SHALL follow the formats and rules established in SAE J2540 in the expressions, manipulations, and use of such tables. It should be pointed out that within the rules established by this document a variety of final table are all considered “compliant” with the document, and may vary as fits the needs of implementers.
V2X Core Technical Committee
Message Sets for Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS)J2354_201906 (Current)6/11/2019
This SAE Standard describes standardized medium-independent messages needed by information service providers for Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS). The messages contained herein address all stages of travel (informational, pre-trip and en route), all types of travelers (drivers, passengers, personal devices, computers, other servers), all categories of information, and all platforms for delivery of information (in-vehicle, portable devices, kiosks, etc.).
V2X Core Technical Committee
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