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This paper quantifies the deceleration of motor vehicles as they were routinely stopped for an expected hazard in a real world environment. It was observed that the deceleration rate varied non-linearly, with a peak value of about 0.25g as the vehicle decelerated through the speed range of 20 to 30 km/h. This deceleration pattern was common to all evaluated categories of passenger vehicles. A mathematical model was developed to define the deceleration profile; enhancement of this model yielded predictive relations for the velocity, position and remaining braking time of decelerating passenger vehicles.

This study presents an efficient method for accident reconstructionists to determine the expected forward head displacements of automobile occupants who are restrained by lap and torso seat belts during frontal impacts. Data were referenced from various research investigations; thus, a wide range of different test conditions, configurations and subjects were considered. The impact severity of the tests ranged from 16 to 60 km/h. Results presented in this study provide a practical method to determine the expected head excursion for occupants who are restrained by lap and torso seat belts during frontal impacts.