A Consideration on the AE-MDB for the Side Impact Test in KNCAP

The data on car to car side impacts in Korea had increased every year from 67,105 cases in 2006 to 76,556 cases in 2011 by the Police Agency in Korea. In Korea, sales of mid-sized cars, large-sized cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have increased since 2001. The ratio of vehicles over 1,400 kg represented 56% in 2010. The current test procedure for side impact in the Korean New Car Assessment Program (KNCAP) uses 950 kg moving deformable barrier (MDB). The current test method may not reflect the real world traffic conditions and vehicle populations in Korea. The study for improving the side impact test in KNCAP has been carried out. This study shows the test results of three sizes of vehicles (compact car, mid-sized car and large-sized car) using the current KNCAP MDB, 1,300 kg Advanced European Mobile Deformable Barrier (AE-MDB) and 1,500 kg AE-MDB. The ES-2 dummy is mounted on the driver’s and front passenger’s seat, and the SID-2 5th percentile female dummy is mounted on the rear left passenger’s seat. Adopting the side airbag and the curtain airbag, the injury values and the star ratings of cars did not show a big difference according to the size of cars. The dominant factor affecting the occupant safety when using the AE-MDB was pelvis injury of the dummy in the rear seat. The deformations of vehicle side structure showed big difference depending on using the current KNCAP MDB or AE-MDB. If the AE-MDB will be adopted in the KNCAP, the assessment method will be prepared for the enhancement of safety for the smaller occupant in rear seats.