Abstract
The objective of the research program reported herein was to develop and validate mathematical models for simulating both articulated and nonarticulated vehicle collisions with rigid and yielding barriers or roadside objects. The research involved three specific efforts: collection and evaluation of dynamic vehicle crush data for existing vehicles, development of mathematical models for simulating articulated and nonarticulated vehicle impacts with rigid and yielding traffic barriers and breakaway devices, and verification of the efficiency and reliability of the models. In this volume, 1st of 4, the barrier, vehicle, and interaction models, program data, validation, and conclusions of the research effort are discussed.