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Injury to the far side occupant has been demonstrated as a significant portion of the total trauma in side impacts. The objective of the study was to determine the response of PMHS in far side impact configurations, with and without generic countermeasures, and compare responses to the WorldSID and THOR dummies. A far side impact buck was designed for a sled test system that included a center console and three-point belt system. The buck allowed for additional options of generic countermeasures including shoulder or thorax plates or an inboard shoulder belt. The entire buck could be mounted on the sled in either a 90-degree (3-o'clock PDOF) or a 60-degree (2-o'clock PDOF) orientation. A total of 18 tests on six PMHS were done to characterize the far side impact environment at both low (11 km/h) and high (30 km/h) velocities. WorldSID and THOR-NT tests were completed in the same configurations to conduct matched-pair comparisons.

The basis for this analysis was NASS/CDS 1997 to 2006. In the NASS database there were 60 cases with major fires in side impact crashes, 37 of which were in passenger vehicles less than 10 years old. These newer vehicles were examined in this study. Cases in NASS were examined to identify crash characteristics associated with major fires in side crashes. The database contained 22 cases with fatalities, eleven of which were coded as fire related. Three of these were associated with fires that did not originate from the crashed vehicle. The fuel tank was coded as the fire origin for 41% of the major fires in vehicles with side damage and for 7 out of the 8 vehicles with fire related fatalities. The most frequent crash characteristic was an impact with a narrow object that produced severe side damage. Lower extent of damage was evident in two fatal cases that involved a rollover following the side impact.

This study assessed the primary involved physical components attributed to the head and face injuries of child occupants seated directly adjacent to the stuck side of a vehicle in a side impact collision. The findings presented in this study were based upon analysis of the National Automotive Sampling System/Crashworthiness Data System (NASS/CDS) for the years 1993–2007. Injury analysis was conducted for those nearside child occupants aged between 1–12 years-old. The involved children were classified as toddler-type, booster-type, or belted-type occupants. These classifications were based upon the recommended restraint system for the occupant. Injury mechanisms were assessed for the child occupants in each of the three groups. A detailed study of NASS/CDS cases was conducted to provide a greater understanding of the associated injury mechanisms.

This paper presents an analysis of the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) and the Fatal Accident Reporting Systems (FARS) data for the combined years 1988–97 with respect to side impacts. Accident variables, vehicle variables, occupant variables and their interactions have been considered, with special emphasis on occupant injury patterns. The crash modes considered are car-to-car, car-to-LTV (light trucks and vans) and car to narrow object, with special emphasis on the latter two. This study was undertaken to obtain a better understanding of injury patterns in lateral impacts, their associated causation factors, and to obtain information that will assist in prioritizing crash injury research problems in near side impacts. Of particular interest is the increase in the population of light trucks and vans and their influence on side impact priorities. Conclusions will be drawn regarding the frequency and injury severity of car-to-LTV’s and car to narrow objects.

This paper uses the National Automotive Sampling System/Crashworthiness Data System (NASS/CDS) to estimate the population of front seat occupants exposed to far-side crashes and those with MAIS 3+ and fatal injuries. Countermeasures applicable to far-side planar crashes may also have benefits in some far-side rollovers. The near-side and far-side rollover populations with MAIS 3+ injuries and fatalities are also calculated and reported. Both restrained and unrestrained occupants are considered. Populations are subdivided according to ejection status – not ejected, full ejection, partial ejection and unknown ejection. Estimates are provided for the annual number of MAIS 3+ injuries and fatalities that occur each year in each category for the following belt use scenarios: (1) belt use as reported in NASS and (2) 100% belt use. In scenario 1, the exposure and casualties for the unbelted population are also shown. About 34% of the MAIS 3+F injuries in side crashes are in far-side crashes.

Injury to the far side occupant has been demonstrated as a significant portion of the total trauma in side impacts. The objective of the study was to determine the response of PMHS in far side impact configurations, with and without generic countermeasures, and compare responses to the WorldSID and THOR dummies. A far side impact buck was designed for a sled test system that included a center console and three-point belt system. The buck allowed for additional options of generic countermeasures including shoulder or thorax plates or an inboard shoulder belt. The entire buck could be mounted on the sled in either a 90-degree (3-o'clock PDOF) or a 60-degree (2-o'clock PDOF) orientation. A total of 18 tests on six PMHS were done to characterize the far side impact environment at both low (11 km/h) and high (30 km/h) velocities. WorldSID and THOR-NT tests were completed in the same configurations to conduct matched-pair comparisons.

This study investigated the mechanisms of traumatic rupture of the aorta (TRA). Eight unembalmed human cadavers were tested using various dynamic blunt loading modes. Impacts were conducted using a 32-kg impactor with a 152-mm face, and high-speed seatbelt pretensioners. High-speed biplane x-ray was used to visualize aortic motion within the mediastinum, and to measure deformation of the aorta. An axillary thoracotomy approach was used to access the peri-isthmic region to place radiopaque markers on the aorta. The cadavers were inverted for testing. Clinically relevant TRA was observed in seven of the tests. Peak average longitudinal Lagrange strain was 0.644, with the average peak for all tests being 0.208 ± 0.216. Peak intraluminal pressure of 165 kPa was recorded. Longitudinal stretch of the aorta was found to be a principal component of injury causation. Stretch of the aorta was generated by thoracic deformation, which is required for injury to occur.