The frontal crash response of the Part 572 3-year old child dummy in an American child restraint system was compared with that of a child cadaver in a previous study. In this study a new 3-year old dummy, the P3 which is prescribed in the ECE Regulation 44 was compared with both the behaviour of the Part 572 dummy and that of the cadaver.

In addition the MADYMO mathematical crash victim simulation program was used in an extensive sensitivity study for detailed analysis of the differences between both dummies. Simulations were performed with varied dummy characteristics like mass distribution and joint range of motions.

Differences between both dummies and the cadaver were shown and explained by means of the results of the sensitivity study. The kinematical effect of the vertebral column of the cadaver was found to be simulated in a more realistic way by the P3 than by Part 572 dummy. Some recommendations on how to improve future child dummy design are given.