Evaluation of restraints effectiveness in simulated rollover conditions

A series of tests were conducted to determine the effectiveness of belt restraints in reducing occupant excursion in rollover crashes. A typical 3point lap and shoulder belt configuration was tested as the baseline restraint. The baseline restraint was compared to an inflatable restraint to determine how well excursion could be reduced over current belt systems in a simulated rollover. A device called the rollover restraints tester (RRT) was used to simulate rollover conditions and to evaluate the effectiveness of restraints to prevent occupant head excursion. Vertical head excursion of a 50th percentile H-III male dummy was reduced by as much as 75 percent with the inflatable restraint.