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The purpose of this paper is to present a revised approach to estimating the approach energy EA absorbed in an accident. This paper details the revised method for energy estimation for front and rear impacts (side impacts will be discussed in a later publication). The new algorithm originates from the fact that CRASH3 requires an estimate of approach energy absorbed (EA) and not force or stiffness. Therefore, the simplest approach is to model the behavior of EA with residual crush. Data from more than 1000 tests in the NHTSA's data-base are tabulated and presented. Finally, the paper validates the new algorithm by analyzing data from a number of staged collisions. The work reported in this paper was executed under contract to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as a part of their research.

Several thoracic and head protection side impact air bag systems (SAB) are emerging in the U.S. market and are projected to become prevalent in the fleet. These systems appear to offer superior protection in side crashes. However, concerns have been raised as to their potential for causing injury to out-of-position (OOP) occupants. This paper describes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) program for evaluation of the SAB systems for OOP occupants and provides a status report on the current research. The industry's Side Airbag Out-of- Position Injury Technical Working Group (TWG) recommended procedures for 3-year-old and 6-year-old occupants are evaluated. Additional test procedures are described to augment the TWG procedures for these occupants and 12-month- old infants.