IN ITS 1977 RULEMAKING PLAN, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION ESTABLISHED THE UPGRADE OF SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION AS A TOP PRIORITY. THIS PAPER REPORTS THE PROGRESS TO DATE ON THE DEVELOPMENTS TO UPGRADE THE DESIGN OF VEHICLE SIDE STRUCTURES. ALSO PRESENTED IS THE PHILOSOPHY USED FOR THESE UPGRADES. FINALLY, THE PLAN FOR INTEGRATING THE UPGRADED VEHICLES INTO THE OTHER SUPPORT AREAS FOR THIS RULEMAKING ACTIVITY IS DISCUSSED. (A) FOR THE COVERING ABSTRACT OF SECTION 5 SEE IRRD 266063. FOR THE COVERING ABSTRACT OF THE CONFERENCE SEE IRRD 266046.
Abstract