BEHAVIOUR OF SIDE IMPACT DUMMIES USED AS PEDESTRIANS IN ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTIONS

Evaluation of pedestrian safety is generally made through the analysis of car to pedestrian dummy tests. For these tests, the adult dummy generally used is a Part 572 fitted with a pelvic kit allowing a standing posture. The comparison between Part 572 and cadaver in realistic pedestrian test conditions shows differences in kinematics and impact response between the two models. These differences have been especially pointed out in the KOB programme (1) and have been found to be mainly due to the greater stiffness of the Part 572 dummy compared with living humans and with cadavers. At the same time several dummies have been developed to give a better response when simulating car occupants in side impact. These dummies are softer especially at the thorax and shoulder levels. It is certain that the dummy improvement for side impact would give a better response in pedestrian accident situations. For this reason, it was decided to duplicate some of the accident reconstructions with side impact dummies. This paper gives comparisons between cadaver tests, Part 572 dummy tests, and tests conducted with 3 different 50th percentile side impact dummies. This comparison is made on kinematics of the models, and on the values of protection criteria recorded on head, chest and pelvis. (TRRL)