HUMAN FACTOR AND HARDWARE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR PASSENGER PROTECTION IN HIGH SPEED CRASHES

Included in the objectives of the paper are the identification and summary of significant human factor considerations for restraint and protection of passengers involved in barrier type collisions at speeds up to 300 miles per hour. These considerations result in computed values of minimum stopping distance as a function of initial velocity. The basis of the calculations are upper limits of tolerable deceleration which are a function of impact duration. Two types of lap and shoulder restraint schemes for achieving optimal restraint conditions are described. The advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. A totally passive hydraulic/pneumatic shock isolation system for constraining the deceleration levels to acceptable and approximately constant values is described. Typical results of digital computer simulation studies demonstrate the significance of energy dissipation by means of structural deformation of the vehicle. Also, the simulation results demonstrate that the passive shock isolation system can be utilized to achieve an approximately constant and safe deceleration.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the Texas University Arlington.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems

  Box 4824, Duke Station
  Durham, NC  United States  27706

  Planning Transport Associates, Incorporated

  P.O. Box 4824, Duke Station
  Durham, NC  United States  27706
• Authors:
  • Wilkins, L O
  • Hullender, D A
• Publication Date: 1975-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 425-433
• Serial:
  • High Speed Ground Transportation Journal
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue Number: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash injury research; Crash risk forecasting; Crashes; Crashworthiness; Deceleration; Energy; High speed vehicles; Human factors; Occupant protection devices; Passenger cars; Passive restraint systems; Research; Restraint systems; Risk assessment; Safety; Shoulder harnesses; Simulation; Stopping distances; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Impact protection
• Old TRIS Terms: Passenger car design; Passenger restraints; Passive protection devices; Shoulder harness
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Highways; Railroads; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00097717
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 13 1975 12:00AM