The purpose of this research was to demonstrate a methodology for deriving a real world dynamic rollover injury potential rating system from static measurements. The methodology consists of an evaluation of vehicle strength to weight ratio (SWR), roof structure elasticity from static testing, major radius, minor radius, and major radius extension to predict residual roof crush. In addition to providing a hypothesis for evaluating the vehicles the major radius extension (MRE) will be looked at to provide insight for correcting existing anomalous static SWR measurements. These parameters are important because a 43 nation Global NCAP has been established to rate vehicles in all crash modes. Rollover performance is to be rated by SWR. Global NCAP will be responsible for reducing the 1,200,000 vehicle fatalities per year of which 25% can be rollovers when comparing rollover fatality proportionality to U.S vehicle fatality statistics.
Based on our rollover research of the past 12 years structural and occupant protection countermeasures can be used to significantly counter those fatalities. Disseminating the dynamic injury performance provides a world-wide opportunity to save many tens of thousands of lives annually. Jordan Rollover System (JRS) vehicle rollover dynamic testing apparatus has identified a significant number of vehicles which meet the most rigorous static roof strength criteria, but fail to provide occupant protection from injury risk.
Manufacturers can reduce the injury risk within size class by minimizing geometry effects and the likelihood of a high pitch rollover. While large, tall, heavy vehicles are protective in frontal and side impact accidents they are very high injury risk vehicles in rollovers for the very same reasons. This paper provides a prediction method for assessing dynamic injury probability from static test data and measurements.