The data on car to car side impacts in Korea had increased every year from 67,105 cases in 2006 to 76,556 cases in 2011 by the Police Agency in Korea. In Korea, sales of mid-sized cars, large-sized cars and SUVs have increased since 2001. The ratio of vehicles over 1,400 kg represented 56 % in 2010. The current test procedure for side impact in KNCAP uses 950 kg MDB. The current test method may not reflect the real world traffic conditions and vehicle populations in Korea.

The study for improving the side impact test in KNCAP has been carried out. This study shows the test results of three size of vehicles (compact car, mid-sized car and large-sized car) using the current KNCAP MDB, 1,300 kg AE-MDB and 1,500 kg AEMDB. The ES-2 dummy is mounted on the driver’s and front passenger’s seat, and the SID-2 5 %tile female dummy is mounted on the rear left passenger’s seat.

Adopting the side airbag and the curtain airbag, the injury values and the star ratings of cars were not showed a big difference according to the size of cars. The dominant factor affecting the occupant safety when using the AE-MDB was pelvis injury of the dummy in the rear seat. The deformations of vehicle side structure showed big difference depending on using the current KNCAP MDB or AE-MDB.

If the AE-MDB will be adopted in the KNCAP, the assessment method will be prepared for the enhancement of safety for the smaller occupant in rear seats.