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The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the typical 3-point restraint system during a quarter-turn rollover of a heavy truck. Five far-side, quarter-turn rollover dynamic tests (3 belted and 2 unbelted tests using a Hybrid II dummy) were conducted using a specially designed large hydraulic machine (causing typical real-world peak angular velocities such as 115° to 140° per second). Four far-side, quarter-turn+ (∼110°) static rollover tests (all belted - one test with a Hybrid II test dummy and the other three with human volunteers) were conducted using a specially designed machine driven by rotational motion from an electric motor (constant roll speed of approximately 6° to 7° per second). A tractor cab and seat and the most commonly used dual-sensitive 3-point belt system were mounted on the test machines. Instrumentation included various transducers, accelerometers, and high speed video cameras to record selected data.

Traditional accident reconstruction analysis methodologies include the study of the crush-energy relationship of vehicles. By analyzing the measured crush from a vehicle involved in a real world accident and comparing it to a test vehicle with a known energy, from a crash test, the real world vehicle's damage energy can be evaluated. In addition, the change-in-velocity (Delta-V) can be calculated. The largest source of publicly available crash tests is from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA conducts numerous Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) compliance and New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing for many passenger vehicles for sale in the United States.