Search Results

The present study examines the effects of shared lap/shoulder belt use on the safety of rear seat, child occupants during frontal collisions. Using Mathematical Dynamic Modeling (MADYMO) software, a variety of simulated frontal sled tests were conducted. Eighteen simulated crash scenarios were examined. In each of the simulations either a single 6 Yr Hybrid III dummy or two 6 Yr Hybrid III dummies were placed in the rear, center seat position and restrained using a single lap/shoulder belt. Simulated sled test were conducted at change in velocity (ΔV)'s varying from 24 to 56kph, and principal direction of impact force (PDOF)'s varying from -30° to 30°. The peak resultant lap belt loads and lumbar spine loads experienced by each dummy were used to evaluate the relative potential for injury amongst dummies that were either belted alone or in a shared belt.

Phase I, Phase II, Caterpillar, Allis-Chalmers, Clark, Hyster, Toyota, and Entwistle fork lift upset studies have been conducted with Hybrid II dummies, Side Impact Dummies, and stunt men. The investigations concluded that the dummy lacks the ability to brace itself, hold on, and does not have adequate biofidelity to represent the human in a fork lift upset. Crushing injuries and death typically occur when the operator is thrown or jumps from the overturning forklift and is pinned by the overhead guard or canopy. The dummy studies demonstrated a wide range of Head Injury Criteria (HIC) values that were not reproducible. Furthermore, other injury producing variables such as angular acceleration, angular velocity or induced brain stress were not investigated. The injury level of 1000 for the HIC for the mid-sized male, small female, and 6 year-old has been recommended by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).