Lumped parameter modelling and multiple linear regression analysis of car-to-car collisions identified four vehicle parameters which significantly influenced a baseline vehicle's aggressiveness to a typical minicompact car in an aligned frontal collision: vehicle weight, forward frame stiffness, frontal sheet metal stiffness, and bumper-to-engine distance. Equations relating these parameters to occupant survivability in the small car were produced (e.g. chest acceleration data from the ABAG computer model), along with statistical estimates of the accuracy of the relationships. When results of car-to-car crash tests involving the Ford Torino, Plymouth Fury, and Honda CVCC were analyzed, a significant difference was found between the aggressiveness of the Torino and Fury in both full and offset frontal collisions with the Honda. The Fury, which had a significantly stiffer frontal structure, was the more aggressive vehicle. Additional analytical studies indicated that the degree of vehicle aggressiveness in an aligned frontal collision with a minicompact can probably be determined in a fixed rigid barrier crash test by measuring two parameters: vehicle weight, and maximum vehicle crush. The deformable moving barrier may also provide slightly better correlation with car-to-car crash test results, although the fixed rigid barrier may be a better compliance test device in terms of simplicity, cost, and reproducibility.
Abstract