PERFORMANCE OF THE PROTOTYPE WORLDSID DUMMY IN SIDE IMPACT CRASH TESTS 2001-06-0191

A new, highly biofidelic, advanced side impact crash test dummy is being designed within the international WorldSID project. This world-wide project was initiated with the aim of developing a new mid-size male dummy which, it is hoped, by responding to the needs of potential users around the globe, could be adopted universally for side impact crash testing and for future harmonised regulatory test procedures as defined by the International Harmonized Research Activities (IHRA).

The prototype WorldSID dummy has been subjected to a series of demanding car environment crash tests sponsored by the Department of Transport and Regional Services of Australia. This testing constitutes the first phase of a multinational programme to evaluate the dummy’s biofidelity along with its directional sensitivity and verification. Any necessary modifications will be made, following which a second, comprehensive and world-wide evaluation programme will be undertaken.

This paper presents and discusses the performance of the dummy as observed during the initial testing in Australia. This testing consisted of a mobile deformable barrier (MDB) test, two sled tests, a car-to-car test and verification testing. During the testing the dummy was equipped with a complete set of its purpose-designed instrumentation yielding a considerable quantity of data. Along with the dynamic responses, aspects such as the kinematics, positioning and handling of the dummy will be addressed.