Citation

Mouchahoir GE, Sullivan LK. Proc. Int. Tech. Conf. Enhanced Safety Vehicles 1996; 1996: 1226-1234.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, In public domain, Publisher National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper discusses some of the critical factors affecting the design of MULTI-MODAL use of child restraint systems (CRS). The paper summarizes the results of a research effort conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine the effects of available space for head and knee movement of the child occupant, belt anchor point locations, belt angle and routing on the dynamic performance of surrogate child occupant of various child restraints placed in motor vehicle and aircraft seats. Findings of this testing indicate that the current fleet of motor vehicles has adequate average available space for head and knee displacement. On the other hand, the testing indicates that some belt anchor point locations and belt routing configurations result in excessive displacement of the head and high potential for head injury of the child occupant when restrained in some motor vehicles and aircraft seats. This paper emphasizes the importance of incorporating into the design process the interfacing of child restraints with the passenger compartment environments. Alternative courses of action are presented for providing safety protection for children traveling in motor vehicles and aircraft.