The SMART™ airbag system is an adaptive restraint system which utilizes inputs on crash situations, occupant status and the vehicle environment to optimize the airbag system performance to an actual crash. This system is designed to function with improved performance over a wider range of crash situations than is possible with conventional airbag systems which have no adjustment capabilities. Tailorability is achieved by sensing changes in conditions such as occupant and vehicle status and utilizing an electronic control unit (ECU) which identifies the crash situation and adjusts a variable gas generation source appropriately. The ECU thus adapts the system performance level for the actual situation present at the time of the crash.