The performance of various rear facing child restraint systems in a frontal crash

Sherwood, C. P.; Abdelilah, Y.; Crandall, J. R.; Stevens, S. L.; Saggese, J. M.; Eichelberger, M. R.

Affiliations

¹Center for Applied Biomechanics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

²Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

Abstract

Current forward facing (FF) child restraint designs use LATCH and ISOFIX systems to couple the restraint to the vehicle. Rear facing (RF) child restraints, however, have multiple coupling methods that vary by manufacturer and country of origin. Sled tests were performed with the CRABI 12 month dummy in six different RF attachment conditions. The performance of the rear facing child restraints (restraint kinematics, head accelerations, and neck loads) was highly dependent on the coupling method used. The results were also compared to a FF LATCH restraint.

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Cited By (3)

Year	Entry
2006	Manary MA, Reed MP, Klinich KD, Ritchie NL, Schneider LW. The effects of tethering rear–facing child restraint systems on ATD responses. In: 50th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 16-18, 2006; Chicago, IL.397-410.
2007	Sherwood C, Marshall R, Crandall J. The development of an injury cost function for child passenger safety. In: Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 18-21, 2007; Lyon, France.
2013	Whitman GR, Hart AV III, Sicher L, Benda B, D’Aulerio LA. Rear-facing child safety seat performance in frontal NCAP level crashes. In: Proceedings of the 23rd International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 27-30, 2013; Seoul, South Korea.