An analysis of 29–35 mph frontal barrier crash tests was performed for the purposes of determining degree and variability of crashsurvivability among vehicles, determining general reasons for good (or poor) crashworthiness, and providing general recommendations regarding selection of vehicles to be modified to demonstrate enhanced occupant protection. In addition to head injury criterion (HIC) values and maximum chest accelerations, obtained from dummy measurements, required internal occupant stroking distance calculations and occupant/airbag modeling results were used to assess the occupant protection capability of the vehicles' frontal structures. The crash responses of vehicles identified as potentially offering unusually good or poor crashsurvivability were examined, in hopes of identifying features correlated with level of occupant protection.

Conclusions are presented regarding the relationship of occupant protection potential to vehicle weight, maximum dynamic crush, and specific features of the occupant compartment acceleration response. Recommendations are given on the type of crash response a vehicle should exhibit in order to be selected for modifircation to demonstrate enhanced occupant protection performance. Finally, a relationship between crashworthiness and structural aggressiveness is observed and discussed.