The representativity of a global frontal impact must be assessed in relation to its concordance with the characterisitcs of frontal impacts in real world accidents in order to guarantee that the progress accomplished will be effectively translated on the road. The survey is based on the technical and medical investigation into 746 cars and 403 occupants restrained by 3-point seatbelts involved in severe frontal impacts with velocity change equal to or greater than 40 km/h. Precise descriptions are made of overlaps of front end with obstacle, deformation geometries, intrusion levels into the passenger compartment in terms of velocity change and mean acceleration of the car. The frequency and the severity of injuries to front occupants are analysed in terms of the relationship of the impact with 0 degree barrier and 30 degree oblique barrier tests. The results show that the 0 degree barrier test does not reproduce mean acceleration values, intrusion levels or risks incurred by the majority of belted occupants. Deformations of vehicles, mean accelerations and conditions under which serious injuries occur with the largest number of belted occupants in real world frontal impact conditions, justify the choice of the 30 degree oblique barrier test as the most representative test. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 837684.
Abstract