Comparison of Collision and Noncollision Marks on Vehicle Restraint Systems

This paper will discuss how markings or observable anomalies on vehicle seat belt restraint systems can be classified into two categories: Those caused by collision forces, or "loading marks" and (2) those created by non-collision situations, or "normal usage marks." A survey was conducted of both crash-tested and non-crash-tested vehicles in order to collect data on both categories of markings. This paper examines and analyzes the markings caused by both collision and non-collision load scenarios in order to illustrate and evaluate their unique differences as well as provide a general pattern of severity relative to different loading conditions.