The effectiveness of methods to improve the design safety of vehicles in lateral collisions

Abstract

Pilot tests have been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of side airbags to determine the indications of the driver (passenger) injuries of a M1 category vehicle in side collisions. Seven cars of different manufacturers and in different configurations were taken as objects of research. The tests were carried out in accordance with UN Regulation No. 95 using a special Euro SID-1 dummy and a deformable impactor. Comparing the test results of cars not equipped with protective cushions and inflatable screens, it could be concluded that in the side collision the level of driver and passengers protection was significantly influenced by the design of the power elements placed in the doors of vehicles and which prevent the spread of the deformation zone to the area of the ribs and abdomen of the EuroSID-1 dummy. Compared to cars not equipped with side cushions, the use of side airbags to protect the head of the driver and the passenger could reduce the rate of head injury more than 7 times, on average. The use of side cushions placed in the backs of the seats could reduce the damage of the ribs and pelvic injuries by 4 times, and the rate of injury of the abdominal section was 1.5 times. It should be recommended to include a section defining the regulated requirements for side airbags in the UN Regulation No. 95, including the following paragraph “The time for the full disclosure of inflatable restraints used to protect the driver and passengers in side impacts should be no more than 15-20 ms”.