This report first introduces statistical data on pedestrian accidents in Japan, with emphasis on the high frequency of head and leg injuries, and the high percentage of pedestrians who are hit from the side by vehicles. This report also describes leg impactor tests carried out as part of the pedestrian protection studies. Specifically, these tests were aimed at: (1) determining the influence of upper body mass on leg impact; and (2) at comparing the indirect measuring method (the knee-angle measuring method) and the direct measuring method (the force-measuring method). The vehicle frontal shape in terms of bumper height, bumper lead, and hood edge height was used as the main parameter. Results indicated the following: (a) The presence or absence of an upper body mass did not affect tendencies of varied measurement values, except for knee tensile force; and (b) among the leg impactor measured items, knee angle (dynamic deformation angle) and force (bending moment and shearing force) indicated different responses to the parameter under certain conditions. Therefore, it is judged inappropriate to consider knee angle and force as identical evaluation criteria. For the leg protection, however, there is no adequate index to be applied to the criteria except the knee angles and forces.
Abstract