RESEARCH SAFETY VEHICLE PROGRAM (PHASE I)-VOLUME II. RSV PROGRAM DEFINITION AND FOUNDATION; ACCIDENT DATA, AUTOMOBILE USAGE, NATURAL RESOURCES, RELATED SAFETY COSTS

Background data are developed to support the Research Safety Vehicle (RSV) specifications generated in Volume III of this report series. Trends are analyzed to define constraints that would have influence on the RSV in its time frame-circa 1985. Included are automobile usage, population growth, economic and resources status. An immutable weight limit of 3000 lbs. provided physical constraints; and anticipated fuel and materials costs suggested economic constraints. Safety-related performance ranges were derived from accident configurations and frequencies combined with automobile physical design and weight constraints. Alternative personal transportation systems offer no relief from dependence on the family automobile. Economic, energy, ecological and materials limitations will force a continuous demand for more efficient vehicles; and that demand will be met in part with a continuous shift toward lighter, smaller vehicles. Accident data analyses suggest that this shift will have a favorable effect on highway safety. However, the increased exposure (total number of vehicles) and increased awareness of the highway toll call for a greater emphasis on vehicle safety measures. Societal costs and vehicle safety-related costs are reviewed. Careful integration of safety into the vehicle design is found to be necessary in the face of the many constraints and the changing mix.

• Corporate Authors:

  Calspan Corporation

  4455 Genesee Street
  Buffalo, NY  United States  14225
• Authors:
  • MILLER, P M
  • PUGLIESE, S M
  • Ryder, M O
  • DuWaldt, F A
  • Chesley, S W
• Publication Date: 1975-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 449 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash investigation; Crashworthiness; Motor vehicle bodies; Pedestrian safety; Research; Safety vehicles; Size; Trend (Statistics); Vehicle design; Weight
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile bodies; Pedestrian protection
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00126866
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Highway Safety Research Institute
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/HS 801 608 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-4-00838
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 14 1976 12:00AM