Comparison of Dummy and Human Body Models in Automotive Side Impact Collisions According to the Regulatory Standards

Author(s):  
D. V. Suresh Koppisetty ◽  
S. S. Akhil Hawaldar ◽  
Hamid M. Lankarani

Abstract Side-Impact car accidents are the second leading cause of fatalities in the United States. Regulatory standards have been developed for occupant protection in side impact car accidents using dummies or Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs). Although the regulations are based on the use of ATDs, there might be differences between an actual human crash performance and that of a dummy crash performance. In recent years, technology has improved in such a way that crash scenarios can be modeled in various computational software. The human dynamic responses can be examined using active human body models including a combination of rigid bodies, finite elements, and kinematic joints, thus making them versatile to use in all crash test scenarios. In this study, the nearside occupants are considered as per regulatory standards set by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Vehicle side-impact crash simulations are carried out using LS-DYNA finite element (FE) software, and the occupant response simulations are obtained using MADYMO. Because the simulation of an entire FE model of a car and occupant is quite time-consuming and computationally expensive, a prescribed structural motion (PSM) technique has been utilized in this study and applied to the side-door panel with an occupant positioned in the driver seat of the car in MADYMO. Regular side-impact deformable barrier and pole test simulations are performed with belted and unbelted occupant models considering two different target vehicles namely — a mid-size sedan and a small compact car. Responses from the dummy and the human body models are compared in order to quantify differences between the two in side impacts. The results from this study indicate that human body model behavior is generally similar to that of dummy model in terms of kinematic responses. However, the corresponding injury parameters of the human model are typically higher than that of the dummy model.

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-93
Author(s):  
Marion G. Pottinger ◽  
Joseph D. Walter ◽  
John D. Eagleburger

Abstract The Congress of the United States petitioned the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to study replacement passenger car tire rolling resistance in 2005 with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The study was initiated to assess the potential for reduction in replacement tire rolling resistance to yield fuel savings. The time required to realize these savings is less than the time required for automotive and light truck fleet replacement. Congress recognized that other factors besides fuel savings had to be considered if the committee’s advice was to be a reasonable guide for public policy. Therefore, the study simultaneously considered the effect of potential rolling resistance reductions in replacement tires on fuel consumption, wear life, scrap tire generation, traffic safety, and consumer spending for tires and fuel. This paper summarizes the committee’s report issued in 2006. The authors, who were members of the multidisciplinary committee, also provide comments regarding technical difficulties encountered in the committee’s work and ideas for alleviating these difficulties in further studies of this kind. The authors’ comments are clearly differentiated so that these comments will not be confused with findings, conclusions, and recommendations developed by the committee and contained in its final report.


Author(s):  
Tashi Ngamdung ◽  
Marco daSilva

The United States Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration’s John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), under the direction of the US DOT Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Research and Development (R&D), is leveraging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sponsored Integrated Vehicle Based Safety System (IVBSS) Light Vehicle (LV) Field Operational Test (FOT) to collect and analyze drivers’ activities at or on approach to highway-rail grade crossings. Grade crossings in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio were cross-referenced with IVBSS LV FOT research vehicle location to identify the time research vehicles were present at a crossing. The IVBSS LV FOT included 108 participants that took a total of 22,656 trips. Of the 22,656 total trips, 3,137 trips included a total of 4,215 grade crossing events. The analysis was based of drivers’ activities at the 4,215 grade crossing events. Both looking behavior and distractions did not significantly differ based on gender. However when analyzed per age-group, younger drivers (between 20 to 30 years old) were significantly more likely to be distracted than middle-aged drivers (between 40 to 50 years old) or older drivers (between 60 to 70 years old). For looking behavior, the data revealed that older drivers are more likely to look at least one way at or on approach to highway-rail crossing (43.8 percent exhibited this behavior) than either middle-aged drivers (35.0 percent exhibited this behavior) or younger drivers (25.3 percent exhibited this behavior).


Author(s):  
Donald S. Burke ◽  
Martha W. Bidez ◽  
Kathryn Mergl

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rollovers have a higher fatality rate than all other kinds of crash modes. Of the 6,159,287 police reported crashes in 2005 in the United States, only 4.1% involved a rollover. Yet, rollovers accounted for 34.4% (10,816) of all passenger vehicle fatalities and another 149,406 individuals sustained serious injuries in rollover crashes in 2005 [5].


Author(s):  
Donald S. Burke ◽  
Martha W. Bidez ◽  
Kathryn M. Mergl

In 2008, motor vehicle collisions resulted in 968 child occupant fatalities and 193,000 seriously injured children, ages 14 years old and younger, according to the most recent data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [1]. In fact, motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for all children ages 3 to 14 years old living in the United States [1]. As children grow older they require size-appropriate restraint types to fit their body at each developmental level. For older children, booster seats are not a total solution for child safety as they are often dependent on the design of the vehicle seat belt system (2). Additionally, there is no federal standard that requires vehicle manufacturers to dynamically test the performance of child seats of any type in their vehicles.


Author(s):  
Michael B. Gerrard

This chapter presents an overview of climate change law in the United States, given the global impact of its domestic and international climate change policies. It traces the evolution of US climate change policy under different presidents, and discusses emerging programs under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Under the CAA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues emissions standards, and under the Energy Policy Conservation Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The chapter also describes the protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA directs the Fish and Wildlife Service to designate certain species as endangered or threatened; for marine species that task falls to the National Marine Fisheries Service.


Author(s):  
Brian R. Herbst ◽  
Steven E. Meyer ◽  
Arin A. Oliver ◽  
Lauren D. Bell ◽  
Stephen M. Forrest

While some debate has existed in the literature regarding the relationship between roof crush and occupant injury, the United States (U.S.) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified an increased safety benefit in improving roof strength and has mandated new higher roof crush resistance requirements. Frequently, roof impacts occur in rollover crashes when a vehicle travels off the lanes of the roadway and impacts various types of narrow objects along the roadway edge such as light poles, utility poles and/or trees. A previously reported tilt-test device and methodology is presented along with a new pendulum-test device and methodology, both of which allow for dynamic, repeatable impact evaluation of vehicle roof structures with narrow objects. The data collected includes not only residual crush, but also dynamic vehicle instrumentation and high speed video analysis. Two series of full vehicle tests are reported which represent each of the methodologies. The testing conditions for each series was determined based upon analysis of a real-world narrow object rollover impact. Each testing series allows for analysis of the damage resulting from the narrow object impact to the roof structure for a production vehicle as well as one that has been structurally reinforced. Results demonstrate that the reinforced roof structure significantly reduced the roof deformation compared to that of the production roof structure. The input energy of each test and resulting damage patterns can be used as both a reconstruction tool and structural assessment test.


1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Hackney ◽  
Michael W. Monk ◽  
William T. Hollowell ◽  
Lisa K. Sullivan ◽  
Donald T. Willke

2009 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Helmkamp ◽  
Mary E. Aitken ◽  
Bruce A. Lawrence

Objective. We determined the rate and costs of recent U.S. all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and bicycle deaths. Methods. Fatalities were identified from the National Center for Health Statistics Multiple Cause-of-Death public-access file. ATV and bicycle deaths were defined by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes V86.0–V86.9 and V10–V19, respectively. Lifetime costs were estimated using standard methods such as those used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Results. From 2000 through 2005, 5,204 people died from ATV crashes and 4,924 from bicycle mishaps. A mean of 694 adults and 174 children died annually from ATV injuries, while 666 adults and 155 children died from bicycle injuries. Death rates increased among adult ATV and bike riders and child ATV riders. Males had higher fatality rates for both ATVs and bicycles. Among children, total costs increased 15% for ATV deaths and decreased 23% for bicycle deaths. In adults, ATV costs increased 45% and bike costs increased 39%. Conclusions. Bicycle- and ATV-related deaths and associated costs are high and, for the most part, increasing. Promotion of proven prevention strategies, including helmet use, is indicated. However, enforcement of helmet laws is problematic, which may contribute to observed trends.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 856-873
Author(s):  
Kanika Jolly ◽  
Sybille Krzywinski ◽  
PVM Rao ◽  
Deepti Gupta

Purpose Whilst motorcycling is an activity of pleasure in most parts of the world, in India, it is a regular mode of commuting. The number of registered motorized two wheelers increased at the rate of 14.7 percent during the year 2016-2017 to reach the figure of 20.19m in 2018. But, with this increase, the number of motorcycle road accidents is also increasing. Uncomfortable riding clothing is one of the major factors for motorcycle rider’s muscular fatigue, which might at times lead to serious accidents. No kinematic human models have been, so far, used for the design of protective, functional and aesthetic looking products, and the result is, hence, a compromised fit that is not protective or comfortable. The purpose of this paper is to develop virtual 3D human body models for specific postures of a motorcycle rider. Design/methodology/approach Kinematic analysis of a motorcycle rider was conducted to identify typical body postures obtained by the motorcycle rider while mounting and riding a motorcycle. The identified body postures were mapped on a virtual parametric human model to obtain digital model of a motorcycle rider. 3D garment patterns for jacket and trouser were developed on all the four body postures. 3D patterns were flattened out to get 2D flat patterns that were compared and analyzed, and appropriate pattern shapes from each of the four postures were selected. Virtual fit analysis was conducted for the finally garment. Findings It is well established that a static 2D anthropometry fails to accurately capture the dimensions of complex 3D human form, yielding poor garment fit. Therefore, in this study, virtual, 3D human body models were developed in selected dynamic poses. Garment patterns developed in 3D have the typical movement inbuilt in them; hence, they offer more comfort and ease of motion to the wearer. Originality/value The identification of typical body postures of motorcycle rider has not been done before. The CAD models developed in the study can be used for the generation of ergonomic garment patterns for the motorcycle riders.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Maguire, MSA, EMT-P

This paper reviews the dangers associated with ambulances in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, vehicle collisions involving ambulances result in twice as many injuries as the national average.Other dangers include: the safety of the vehicle itself; the lack of sufficient occupant protection in the ambulance patient compartment; distractions of the ambulance operator associated with operating lights, sirens, and communication equipment during emergency responses; drowsiness of the ambulance operator associated with extended work hours; and the lack of standardized or test- ed emergency vehicle operator training.Recommendations for improvement include: safety testing for vehicle crashworthiness, testing of diesel fume exposure among emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and improved safety procedures for EMS personnel. Every effort must be made to make ambulances the safest vehicles on the roads of the United States.


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