Limits for Survivability in Frontal Collisions: Theory and Real-Life Data Combined

The limits for survivability in vehicle frontal collisions are unknown. This paper proposes a new hypothesis that occupant risk in frontal collisions is due to both inertial and crushing injuries and that the limits of survivability in frontal collisions are principally due to the complete crushing of vehicles at high Delta-V's. Analysis of the U.S. National Accident Sampling System data for the period 1982-1991 for AIS3+ injury and fatality to belted and unbelted drivers shows that the real world distributions of risk with Delta-V are asymptotic to 1.0 over similar Delta-V ranges and over a lower speed range than that predicted from intrusion/complete car crush alone. This is consistent with the proposed hypothesis as human biomechanical loading also influences survivability. While the hypothesis is supported by the presently available limited high-speed collision data, further in-depth investigations should be undertaken to confirm the ultimate limits of survivability.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V5S-4N6FVFM-1/2/c388e71d3f9e1f29da480737dc9b03c6
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00014575
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier
• Authors:
  • Wood, Denis P
  • Veyrat, Nicolas
  • Simms, Ciaran
  • Glynn, Colin
• Publication Date: 2007-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 679-687
• Serial:
  • Accident Analysis & Prevention
  • Volume: 39
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0001-4575
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biophysics; Crash data; Crushing injuries; Frontal crashes; Injury types; Survival; Theory
• Uncontrolled Terms: Delta-v
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I80: Accident Studies; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01053660
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 20 2007 9:53AM