Development of a New Australian Design Rule for Frontal Impact Protection

A new Australian Design Rule (69100) for a full frontal impact test was developed using Australia's high seat belt wearing rate and US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 as the basis. This Design Rule sets performance requirements by way of injury parameters measured by instrumented dummies. The research included testing seven passenger car models to gauge current performance. This was followed by an occupant restraint optimisation program on one of these car models to provide an indication of potential for injury reduction. This work examined the effect on dummy kinematics (and its effect on injury potential) of emerging restraint technology such as buckle pretensioners, webbing clamp retractors, energy absorbing steering wheels and airbags.