Towards improved infant restraint system requirements

Legault, France; Stewart, Del

Affiliations

Abstract

Observational surveys and analysis of motor vehicle collision data files have confirmed that some infants are transferred to the next category of restraint or taken out before they have “out-grown” their prescribed protective devices. Legislation, enforcement and education countermeasures are tools that have been used to increase proper restraint use among infants. The next phase of improving protection for infants is regulating aspects of the product to increase prolong proper use. The introduction of larger infant dummies in sled testing is one of the most important of these regulatory initiatives as it applies to infant restraints.

Canadian collision data files were analyzed and crash tests simulations (sled tests) were conducted. Convertible restraints were tested in the rear and forward facing configurations using 6-, 9-, 12- and Is-month and 3-year dummies. All parameters for the 12- and 1 g-month dummies were recorded for a more indepth comparison of the performance of restraints when tested facing forward or rearward. Every convertible restraint tested in the rear facing configuration passed the CMVSS 213.1/FMVSS 213 criteria with the 6-, 9-, 12- and 18-month dummies. Some of the restraints passed the regulations’ criteria with the 3-year old dummy although the dummy’s legs interaction with the standard seat back was a challenge for proper installation. In all cases, the structural integrity of the restraint was intact.

Canadian child restraint use surveys were reviewed to determine the level of proper use and orientation of infant restraints. Likewise, accident data files were analyzed to determine the proportion of infants and children involved in motor vehicle collisions who occupy infant/child restraint devices. The injury severity levels were determined. These injuries were compared for restrained/unrestrained and ages of occupants, and if the restraint devices was used properly or not.

Analytical methods are employed to determine whether any significant effects on the restraint performance exist due to infant dummy size, restraint model or the interaction of the two. Also, similarities and differences in performance among the forward and rear facing configurations and various restraint models are measured and compared.

Infants and young toddlers, are provided with a higher level of safety when restrained in a rear facing infant restraint system as long as possible rather than not being restrained, being restrained in a forward facing restraint or restrained by a seat belt.

Links

URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv16/98s10o10.pdf

Cited Works (7)

Year	Entry
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.
1964	Aldman B. A protective seat for children: experiments with a safety seat for children between one and six. In: Patrick LM, ed. Proceedings of the 8th Stapp Car Crash and Field Demonstration Conference. October 21-23, 1964; Wayne State University. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press:320-328. SAE 640855.
1994	Pedder J, Legault F, Salcudean G, Hillebrandt D, Gardner W, Labrecque M. Development of the CANFIX infant and child restraint/vehicle interface system. In: Proceedings of the 38th Stapp Car Crash Conference. October 31–November 2, 1994; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:235-244. SAE 942221.
1989	Carlsson G, Norin H, Ysander L. Rearward facing child seats: the safest car restraint for children? In: 33rd Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 2-4, 1989; Baltimore, MD.249-263.
1992	Planath I, Rygaard C, Nilsson S. Synthesis of data towards neck protection criteria for children. In: Proceedings of the 1992 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 9-11, 1992; Verona, Italy.155-166.
1994	Pincemaille Y, Brutel G, Le Coz JY, Muraz C. Problems related to the acceptability of a new concept of CRS in France: rearward facing systems. In: 38th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). September 21-23, 1994; Lyon, France.450-451.
1997	Lumley MA. Child restraint tether straps: a simple method of increasing safety for children. In: Proceedings of the 2nd Child Occupant Protection Symposium. November 12, 1997; Orlando, FL.123-135. SAE 973305.

Cited By (2)

Year	Entry
2001	Paine M, Vertsonis H. Surveys of child restraint use in New South Wales. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2003	Paine M, Griffiths M, Brown J, Case M, Johnstone O. Protecting children in car crashes: the australian experience. In: Proceedings of the 18th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 19-22, 2003; Nagoya, Japan.