Applicability of the MVMA-2D Occupant Dynamics Model originally developed for the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association by the University of Michigan Highway Safety Research Institute in 1974, has been improved by the introduction of new computer routines which facilitate visual evaluation of the computed results by displaying kinematics of both the occupant and vehicle interior in computer generated movies. These displays can demonstrate simplified deployment kinematics of inflatable restraints, restraint belt action, occupant neck and shoulder movement, and passenger compartment intrusion. New techniques permit onboard and offboard views of the crash sequence, and one-step processing speeds up the generation of kinematics graphics and movie. In addition, the program provides computer plotting of all output variables for purposes of documentation and identification.

To document the practical application of these computer routines, the new developments are demonstrated in simulation of five 48.3 km/h (30 mph) frontal barrier crashes which compare the effects of no restraint, lap belt restraint only, lap and shoulder belt, inflatable restraint only, and the inflatable restraint and lap belt combination. In the demonstrated form the improved MVMA-2D Occupant Dynamics Model clearly represents a superior means to provide additional information for automotive design guidance.