VEHICLE PERFORMANCE IN FULL-FRONTAL CRASH TESTS WITH SMALL FEMALE AND MID-SIZED MALE OCCUPANTS

Thirty-four model year 2001 vehicles were tested in full frontal rigid barrier impacts at 40, 48 and 56 kmph with either belted or unbelted 5th percentile female, or belted 50th percentile Male, Hybrid III occupants. The conclusions are as follows: Head contact with the windshield and header were observed in the unbelted 50th percentile male tests, indicating that the air bag alone was not sufficient to restrain the mid-sized male occupant. Head contacts with interior hard points infrequently resulted in head injury criteria (HIC) and/or Nij (neck injury criteria) exceeding their respective injury assessment reference values. Increasing the test speed did not necessarily lead to an increase in HIC or Nij measurements, for the 5th percentile female occupant. Abdomen-to-steering wheel contact was observed in this test series, however dummy abdomen instrumentation limitations precluded injury assessment. For the covering abstract see ITRD E825082.