Side pre-crash:​ a preliminary analysis & evaluation of crash causation and potential safety benefits

Gopal, Madan; Hawes, Kevin; Balci, Rana

Affiliations

Abstract

With significant benefits achieved with frontal/side and rollover passive safety systems and additional improvements coming on board with frontal active safety, it is natural to consider extension of similar systems to side impact. In this paper, we have made an attempt to understand the side impact crash causation, vehicle kinematics and occupant restraints benefits with early deployments to quantify the problem and evaluate potential benefits.

Using NASS/CDS & FARS 2000-2006 database, we have identified top 10 crash conditions (AIS 2+ injury and fatalities) and looked at select cases for each through accident reconstruction tools to better understand the vehicle kinematics prior to contact. This approach also has given us an initial view of potential ‘zones’ on the vehicle where active systems can best be deployed to improve detection while reducing potential for false alarm.

Also, a preliminary analysis through simulation and testing of early deployment of conventional passive systems compared to standard crash sensing shows a potential for significant injury reductions.

Links

URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv21/09-0057.pdf

Cited Works (4)

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