Abstract
This paper describes the usage of an exponential weighing factor for appraising deceleration of force impulses registered on dummies or impacting hammers in safety testing. The proposed impulse-integration procedure, it is shown, takes into account in a more rational way, and in better conformity with published injury tolerance data, the relative importance of time and intensity of the pulse than do the peak g, or impulse area criteria. Use of the new Severity Index for assessment of head impact pulses is illustrated.