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 Far-side Research Reports AT ASRI

Motion of a Belted Driver in a Far-side Crash

 

Crash test procedures required by present US safety standards for side crashes require the crash dummies to be located on the side of the vehicle closest to the impact.  Far-side occupants, those located on the opposite side from the impact, are not currently protected by any US test. Beginning in January 2020, Far-side Assessment will become an an integral part of the vehicle safety rating systems by EuroNCAP.  This European rating will be based on measurements from dummies tested in two different far-side crash environments and on vehicle structural performance in side crash tests. No plans for US NCAP assessment of the far-side improvements incorporated in response to the EuroNCAP tests have been announced.

Field data indicates that occupants in far side crashes contribute approximately 33% of all serious injuries to restrained front seat occupants exposed to side crashes.  There is currently little test data on the performance of conventional 3-point belt systems in far side crashes.  The early ASRI projects evaluated a variety of production safety belt systems in far-side crashes and found deficiencies in preventing excessive head excursions.  Click here to see a video of  the dummy motion in a far-side crash of a C/K pickup when impacted on the side opposite the dummy position by a Chevrolet Caprice.  Click here to see the  a video to see the dummy motion in a rollover test of a C/K pickup.  In this test, the dummy is also on on the far-side of the vehicle.

Another related far-side project analyzed accident data to determine the opportunities for safety improvements in far-side crashes.  The project was initiated in 2001 by ASRI was continued under an International Cooperative Research Project directed by Dr. Brian Fildes of Monash University in Australia and Dr. Kennerly Digges of The George Washington University, and ASRI. The funding was provided by the Australian Research Council and others.  The papers in the following table include the data analysis and computer modeling conducted to determine test conditions for far-side safety systems to reduce injuries. The papers and presentations may be accessed by the links to follow:

  

Opportunities for Reducing Far-side Casualties, by G. Bahouth and others, Paper Number 15-0444, Proceedings of the 23rd ESV Conference, June, 2015  
Research to Support a Far-side NCAP Test, by K. Digges, June 2015  
Video of Far-side Test at GWU; Central Impact Near B-pillar  
Video of Far-side Test at GWU; Forward Impact Near A-Pillar  
A Parametric Study of Far-Side Restraint Mechanics,  by R. Kent and others, Paper Number 13-0381, Proceedings of the 22nd ESV Conference, June 2011.  -  
General Motors Announcement of a Far-side Airbag in MY 2013 Vehicles, Press Release and Pictures, September 29, 2011  
Final Report, ARC Cooperative Far-side Project - Monash University and George Washington University Report, June 2009  
A Safety Rating For Far-Side Crashes,  Paper Number 09-0217, Proceedings of the 21st ESV Conference, June 2009.  - Paper  
A Safety Rating For Far-Side Crashes,  Paper Number 09-0217, Proceedings of the 21st ESV Conference, June 2009.  - Presentation  
Vehicle and Occupant Motion in Far-side Crash Tests, S. Haight and K. Digges, George Washington University Report, December 2010  
Injury and Harm Analysis, Task 1, ARC Cooperative Far-side Project -February 2008  
Biomechanical Test Program, Task 2, ARC Cooperative Far-side Project -October 2008  
Test Procedures - Crash Tests and Sled Tests for the Far-side,  Task 5b  Report, ARC Cooperative Far-side Project -June 2009  
Far-Side Sled Test Validation with MADYMO, C. Echemendia and K. Digges  GW University, April 2009.- Paper  
Opportunities for Reducing Casualties in Far-side Crashes, Presentation by K. Digges, R. Morgan and H. Gabler, SAE Government-Industry Meeting, May 2006  
Opportunities for Reducing Casualties in Far-side Crashes, Presentation by K. Digges and H. Gabler, SAE  International Congress, April 2006  
Characteristics of  the Injury Environment in Far-side Crashes, Paper  by K. Digges, H. Gabler, P. Mohan and B. Alonzo,  AAAM, 2005  
Characteristics of  the Injury Environment in Far-side Crashes, Presentation by K. Digges, H. Gabler, P. Mohan and B. Alonzo,  AAAM, 2005  
Injuries to Restrained Occupants in Far-side Crashes, Paper by K. Digges and D. Dalmotas, ESV Paper 351, 2001  
Injuries to Restrained Occupants in Far-side Crashes, Presentation by K. Digges and D. Dalmotas, ESV Paper 351,  2001  
Summary Cases of Drivers in Far-side Crashes -         NASS Year 2002

                                                                                          NASS Year 2003

                                                                                           NASS Year 2004

  

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