The vehicle deformation index : a report from the international ad hoc committee for collision deformation and trauma indices.

An index for describing vehicle deformation is discussed. Although primarily designed for automobile collisions, the index is applicable with a location modifier to truck or bus collisions. Further the index may be applied to any size vehicle for it relates to direction of impact, to location of deformation and to relative damage as a function of pre-impact size. Use of the index is illustrated by drawings and photographs.