The main task of EEVC WG17 Pedestrian Safety was to review the EEVC WG10 pedestrian protection test methods from 1994 and to propose possible adjustments taking into account new and existing data in the field of accident statistics, biomechanics and test results. The mandate of 12 months to complete this task has been extended by 3 months. Since the final report was required by December 1998, several decisions had to be taken by majority votes. This means that for certain test methods or aspects of test methods full agreement was not achieved. The following chapters in this EEVC WG17 report describe the background of the decisions taken and the various minority statements made. Recent accident statistics have been analysed, showing among other findings a decrease in the proportion of injuries caused by the bonnet leading edge of modern streamlined passenger cars. Moreover, it is found that the windscreen and A-pillars of these cars are important injury areas, not covered by the EEVC test methods. Future research in this field is recommended. Biomechanical tests were analysed and additional accident reconstructions have been performed. Based on this work, injury risk functions have been developed, especially for leg and pelvis injuries. This has resulted in an increase of the acceptance levels for the upper legform to bonnet leading edge test. This was required because an imbalance between recent accident statistics and the performance of modern cars in pedestrian tests (e.g. Euro-NCAP) was observed. Further evaluation of these tests showed that specific areas of some car models already meet the EEVC WG10 requirements, however no car fulfilled all requirements. Mathematical model simulations indicated that the test conditions for the upper legform to bonnet leading edge test are too severe for passengers cars with a low, streamlined front. The required test energy has been decreased, up to a factor of 2, for these vehicles. This has led to a significant increase in the proportion of cars for which no bonnet leading edge test is proposed. Since 1994 the subsystem impactors have been further evaluated and improved. EEVC WG17 has included new impactor specifications in the test methods. Final evaluation of some impactor improvements is still going on. Final versions will be available by mid 1999. (A)
Abstract