Frontal sled tests comparing rear and forward facing child restraints with 1-3 year old dummies

Sherwood, C. P.; Crandall, J. R.

Although most countries recommend transitioning children from rear facing (RF) to forward facing (FF) child restraints at one year of age, Swedish data suggests that RF restraints are more effective. The objective of this study was to compare RF and FF orientations in frontal sled tests. Four dummies (CRABI 12mo, Q1.5, Hybrid III 3yr, and Q3) were used to represent children from 1 to 3 years of age. Restraint systems tested included both 1) LATCH and 2) rigid ISOFIX with support leg designs. Rear facing restraints with support legs provided the best results for all injury measures, while RF restraints in general provided the lowest chest displacements and neck loads.

Year

Entry

1997

Lowne R, Roy P, Paton I. A comparison of the performance of dedicated child restraint attachment systems (ISOFIX). In: Proceedings of the 2nd Child Occupant Protection Symposium. November 12, 1997; Orlando, FL.71-85. SAE 973302.

1997

Legault F, Gardner B, Vincent A. The effect of top tether strap configurations on child restraint performance. In: Proceedings of the 2nd Child Occupant Protection Symposium. November 12, 1997; Orlando, FL.93-122. SAE 973304.

1995

Brown J, Kelly P, Griffiths M, Tong S, Pak R, Gibson T. The performance of tethered and untethered forward facing child restraints. In: Proceedings of the 1995 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 13-15, 1995; Brunnen, Switzerland.61-74.

1997

Decina LE, Knoebel KY. Child safety seat misuse patterns in four states. Accid Anal Prev. 1997;29(1):125-132.

2000

Weber K. Crash protection for child passengers: a review of best practice. UMTRI Res Rev. July–September 2000;31(3):1-27.