This paper describes the research that has been undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to develop a sub-systems test to assess the protection that is afforded to pedestrians by the leading edge of the bonnets of cars. This work forms a part of the research by a Working Group of the European Experimental Vehicles Committee. The paper identifies the existing accident data and full-scale cadaver and dummy testing that provide a basis for the work. The safety requirements of both child and adult pedestrians are discussed. Results of additional tests that have been conducted to develop, calibrate and validate the proposed impact device and test method are described. Different car frontal shapes influence the velocity, the effective mass and the direction of the pedestrian's impact with the bonnet leading edge. This variation has been allowed for by adjusting the conditions of the sub-system test. Proposals for the resolution of these variations with respect to the sub-system test and recommendations for acceptance levels are given.
Samenvatting