Evaluation of a flexible pedestrian legform impactor (Flex-PLI) for the implementation within legislation on pedestrian protection

Zander, Oliver<sup>1</sup>; Gehring, Dirk-Uwe<sup>2</sup>; Leßmann, Peter<sup>2</sup>; Bovenkerk, Jens<sup>3</sup>

A flexible pedestrian legform impactor (FlexPLI) with biofidelic characteristics is aimed to be implemented within global legislation on pedestrian protection. Therefore, it is being evaluated by a technical evaluation group (Flex- TEG) of GRSP with respect to its biofidelity, robustness, durability, usability and protection level (Zander, 2008). Previous studies at the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) and other laboratories already showed good progress concerning the general development, but also the need for further improvement and further research in various areas (Zander et al., 2007). This paper gives an overview of the different levels of development and all kinds of evaluation activities of the Flex-TEG, starting with the Polar II full scale pedestrian dummy as its origin and ending up with the latest legform impactor built level GTR that is expected to be finalized by the end of the year 2009. Using the latest built levels as a basis, the paper reveals gaps that are recommended to be closed by future developments, like the usage of an upper body mass (UBM), the validation of the femur loads, injury risk functions for the cruciate knee ligaments and an appropriate certification method. A recent study on an additional upper body mass being applied for the first time to the Flex-GT is used as means of validation of the lately proposed modified impact conditions by Konosu et al. (2007-2). Therefore, two test series on a modern vehicle front using an impactor with and without upper body mass are being compared. A test series with the Flex-GTR will be used to study both the comparability of the impact behavior of the GT and GTR built level as well as the consistency of test results. Recommendations for the implementation within legislation on pedestrian protection are made.

Year

Entry

2006

Zander O, Lorenz B. Assessment of the flexible pedestrian legform impactor (flex pli-g) as a test tool for legislation on pedestrian protection. In: Proceedings of the 2006 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 20-22, 2006; Madrid, Spain.413-416.

1998

EEVC Working Group 17 Report: Improved Test Methods to Evaluate Pedestrian Protection Afforded by Passenger Cars. European Enhanced Vehicle-Safety Committee (EEVC); 1998.

2007

Zander O, Lorenz B, Gehring D-U, Leßmann P. Prediction of lower extremity injury risks during an impact on modern car fronts with a flexible pedestrian legform impactor and the pedestrian legform impactor according to EEVC WG 17. In: Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 18-21, 2007; Lyon, France.

2003

Konosu A, Tanahashi M. Development of a biofidelic flexible pedestrian legform impactor. Stapp Car Crash J. 2003;47:459-472. SAE 2003-22-0020.

2001

Konosu A, Ishikawa H, Tanahashi M. Reconsideration of injury criteria for pedestrian subsystem legform test: problems of rigid legform impactor. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.