The accuracy of velocity change estimates in small overlap frontal crashes

Small overlap frontal crashes are defined by a damage pattern with most of the vehicle deformation concentrated outboard of the main longitudinal structures. These crashes are prominent among frontal crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries, even among vehicles that perform well in regulatory and consumer information crash tests. One of the critical aspects of understanding these crashes is knowing the crash speeds that cause the types of damage associated with serious injuries. Laboratory crash tests were conducted using 12 vehicles in three small overlap test conditions: pole, vehicle-to-vehicle collinear, and vehicle-to-vehicle oblique (15-degree striking angle). Field reconstruction techniques were used to estimate the delta V for each vehicle, and these results were compared with actual delta V values based on vehicle accelerometer data. Estimated delta Vs were 50 percent lower than actual values. Velocity change estimates for small overlap frontal crashes in databases such as NASS-CDS significantly underestimate actual values. (A) Paper to the session "Car Accidents" of the 4th International Conference on ESAR "Expert Symposium on Accident Research", 16th to 18th September 2010 in Hannover. For the covering abstract of the conference, see ITRD D366702.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09439307
• Authors:
  • SHERWOOD, C P
  • ZUBY, D S
  • NOLAN, J M
  • AYLOR, D A
• Publication Date: 2010-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 6p
• Monograph Title: Assessing the field relevance of testing protocols and injury risk functions employed in new car assessment programs
• Serial:
  • BERICHTE DER BUNDESANSTALT FUER STRASSENWESEN. UNTERREIHE FAHRZEUGTECHNIK
  • Issue Number: 77
  • Publisher: WIRTSCHAFTSVERLAG NW
  • ISSN: 0943-9307

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Conferences; Crash reconstruction; Crash tests; Deformation; Errors; Forecasting; Frontal crashes; Measurement; Speed; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Modifications; Overlapping
• ITRD Terms: 1621: Accident reconstruction; 1648: Collision test (veh); 8525: Conference; 1648: Crash test; 5595: Deformation; 132: Estimation; 1640: Head on collision; 6136: Measurement; 9048: Modification; 1648: Offset impact test; 9059: Overlapping; 132: Prediction; 5408: Speed; 1255: Vehicle
• Subject Areas: Vehicles and Equipment; I80: Accident Studies; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01379761
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (BASt)
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Aug 2 2012 9:30AM