The aim of this project is to analyse the impact kinematics and dynamics of an Obese anthropomorphic test device (ATD) and to compare these findings with those of an Elderly Female, the HIII 50th Male and the HIII 5th Female ATDs as drivers and front passengers in full-width frontal impacts.

DEKRA conducted five crash tests with a midsize station wagon based on Regulation UN R137 – except for the front passenger seat, which was adjusted in its longitudinal mid-position. The ATDs were either positioned on the driver seat or the front passenger seat.

On both seats, the Obese ATD exhibited by far the largest pelvis excursions, which were concomitant with minimal torso pitch. Its knees and lower limbs impacted hard against the dashboard. The additional soft tissue material limited the engagement of the lap belt with the pelvis, which resulted in submarining.

With their additional sensors, both the Obese and Elderly Female ATDs can better capture the complex loading of the thorax than the HIII ATDs.

Both the HIII 50th Male and the HIII 5th Female do not sufficiently represent obese, elderly, and female vehicle occupants, and do thus not interact with restraint systems in a manner to properly replicate the challenges posed by these groups. By developing both the Obese and the Elderly Female ATDs, manufacturers will be provided with tools that represent these vulnerable groups to assess and validate their restraint systems to improve occupant safety. However, more research into the biofidelity of the Obese and the Elderly Female ATDs is required to improve ATD design and to develop injury assessment reference values and injury risk functions.