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A novel, electrically self-propelled, mobile, free-standing crash sled was constructed with a relatively minimal budget (i.e., ≤ $10,000). The crash sled was designed to simulate occupant driver or passenger seat movement in minor impacts at varying angles with minimal, if any, component replacement necessary between tests. Validation of the crash sled in a rear-end only configuration for determination of occupant accelerations was performed. Minor rear-end crash tests involving human occupants were conducted utilizing a 2007 Toyota Camry target vehicle and a 2005 Toyota Camry bullet vehicle with changes in velocity for the target vehicle ranging between 2.8 km/h and 7.7 km/h. Vehicle instrumentation consisted of tri-axial accelerometers affixed to the center tunnels near their respective center of gravities. Human occupant instrumentation occurred only in the target vehicle and involved tri-axial accelerometers at the head, thorax, and lumbar spine.

In minor inline rear-end accidents, vehicle damage is the primary tangible indicator of impact severity or vehicle change in velocity (ΔV). A technique for calculating change in velocity based on vehicle damage for collinear impacts involves application of the Momentum Energy Restitution (MER) method. Offset inline minor rear-end impact testing, wherein minimal vehicle bumper or contact surface engagement occurs, has not been readily published to date. Thus, instrumented offset inline rear-end impacts were performed utilizing a 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup, 1996 Kia Sephia, and 1995 Chrysler LeBaron GTC to determine if the MER method can accurately calculate a vehicle’s ΔV when collinear contact does not occur. Vehicle engagement involved 5.1 cm to 76.2 cm of overlap with impact speeds ranging between 0.7 m/s and 4 m/s.