Publication Details

Research in automobile crashworthiness and occupant protection

Type: conferencePapers

Author(s): Kidd, A.

Pages: 1-40

Publisher: UNC Highway Safety Research Center

Url: https://trid.trb.org/view/139292

Publication Date: 1972

Volume: 6

Address: Chapel Hill, NC

Abstract: Crashworthiness is the capability of an automobile for protecting occupants from injury during impact. This protection may be provided by proper design of three areas of the vehicle: the interior structure, the occupant restraint systems, and the structure exterior to the compartment. These individual components cannot be considered independently, as the performance of each affects the requirements of the others. Thus, concern for the complete protection package is necessary to the development of proper solutions for occupant protection. Automobile accidents occur in a variety of ways, and the resulting impact loads on the structure and the decelerations imposed on the occupants can be from any and all directions. It is not practical to provide on-board vehicle systems that will give complete protection from injury in all accidents at all speeds for all vehicles. Therefore, the assignment of protection levels and the determination of priorities for research are essential. Information on which to base these levels and priorities can only be obtained from actual accident data. Appropriate interpretation of accident statistics will define the operating environment within which the occupant protection package must work.

Conference name: North Carolina Symposium on Highway Safety