Relevance of the IIHS Small Overlap Crash Test in Europe

Modern cars often perform poorly in the new small overlap crash test of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This frontal impact replicates what happens, when only the front corner of the vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a pillar or a tree. European vehicle manufacturers criticise that the IIHS small overlap crash test would not be relevant based on accident statistics and that two-way traffic collisions could not be reproduced with a rigid barrier. The DTC Dynamic Test Center AG in Switzerland did research on the relevance of the IIHS small overlap crash test in Europe. Therefore the reproducibility of the IIHS barrier in comparison with real two-way traffic collisions was examined. Three tests were performed with a randomly chosen Renault Scenic II using different test configurations. In a fourth test was the influence of the vehicle slip off from the barrier analysed implemented by design modifications on the test vehicle. Loads of the anthropomorphic test device (ATD) placed on the driving seat were measured during each test to draw conclusions on biomechanical stress and occupant protection. The results obtained show that a collision of real two-way traffic collision can be reproduced on a rigid barrier if the impact velocity is adapted on the involved vehicles. If a car is not designed for the IIHS small overlap crash test, speed reduction by main absorbing elements could be marginal and therefore significantly increase the biomechanical stress on the occupant. It has been shown that the vehicle slip off from the barrier could decrease the biomechanical stress but requires a frontal-/ side impact adapted restraint system. The front wheel must be prevented from penetrating the occupant foot well. To avoid injury risks of likely secondary collision further measures such as multifunctional airbags with sufficient residual energy should be taken. With regard to the analysed tests the conclusion was drawn that a slip off from the barrier in combination with necessary adaptions could decrease the injury risk. It can be concluded that the IIHS small overlap crash test is relevant for Europe due to the identified key gaps for occupant protection.