Effects of a Forward Displaced Position on Driver Injury Levels in Frontal Crashes

Position. Abstract. To verify that a forward displaced position has effects on the driver injury levels in front-end collisions and estimate the injury levels in real accidents under this situation, a series of sled tests were conducted with dummy in different forward displaced positions. Injury response values of different body regions were calculated and used to estimate the distribution of injury levels in real accidents. The results of sled tests showed that injuries response values of the dummy driver increased obviously as its body leaned forward. And the estimated distribution of injury levels had a good similarity with statistics results. This method could also be employed to have a more comprehensive estimation of automotive active safety on occupant protection.