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Abstract
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The survivability of automobile crashes depends upon the effective use of available occupant deceleration distance.
The statistically significant case of frontal or "head-on" collisions was examined from a crashworthiness point of view. Data from sled tests of primates and human volunteers were presented to show the relative effectiveness of various restraint systems and limits for human survival of forward-facing deceleration. Tests with baboon subjects indicate possible human fatality in barrier crashes at less than 35 mph with lap belt alone. Similar tests with elaborate double shoulder, double crotch, lap belt systems yielded 50% baboon fatalities at 55 mph. Scaling to human size would probably lower the 50% fatality speed. The limited effectiveness of such "active" restraint systems at higher speeds suggests a need for better systems. In addition, only a small number of occupants (less than 5%) take full advantage of these limited benefits.
The present 30-20-30 mph (30 mph front, 20 mph side, 30 mph rear) barrier crash occupant protection performance requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 were discussed. Several prototype passive restraint systems were identified. "Passive" systems are expected to automatically provide protection to a large proportion of crash occupants, overcoming a great disadvantage of "active" systems. Repeated tests of prototype airbag systems, in which sled decelerations of 120g are endured by the baboon subjects without injury, give strong recommendation for this system. It was emphasized, however, that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 does not require airbags, it requires a passive restraint system with performance which is as good as that given by the prototype airbag.
Thus, survivability may be enhanced by effective use of deceleration distances inside the compartment. |