Frontal Crashes Between the Longitudinal Rails

The objective of this study is to further investigate the injuries and injury mechanisms associated with belted front-row occupants in Between Rail frontal crashes. This study examines real-world crash data from the NASS-CDS between the years 1998-2009 with a focus on frontal crashes involving 1997 and later model year vehicles. This study expands upon a methodology developed by Ford Motor Co. for classifying frontal impacts based upon the Collision Deformation Classification (CDC) [SAE J224] and the location of direct damage relative to the estimated location of the underlying vehicle frame-rail structure. This Frontal Impact Taxonomy will be used to identify those crashes with damage localized between the vehicle frame-rails. In a recent study, it was identified that Between Rail impacts had a higher risk of front row occupants sustaining either a Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) 2+, or MAIS 3+ injury, compared to all other frontal impact damage classifications (Full engagement, Offset, Moderate offset, Small Overlap, and so on). The extent of damage will be used as a measure of impact severity. This study will investigate a laboratory test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This laboratory test involves crashing the front of a passenger vehicle into a rigid pole along the longitudinal line of the vehicle. The laboratory test will be compared with real-world crash data.