Citation

Goodwin CA. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1956; 120: 46-54.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1956, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The study was aimed at the control and reduction of personal injury to the occupant and toward reduction of physical damage to the vehicle. Conducted in three phases, the research covered: (1) experimental investigation of the kinematics of human occupants of an automobile during crash decelerations. By use of high-speed photographic techniques it was found that the general motion characteristics of occupants of the vehicle, under imposed crash conditions, were of a predictable nature, as were the zones of physical contact. (2) investigation of methods of reducing property damage cost in automobile accidents. In this phase of the project, impact tests and fabrication and repair studies completed on automobile body components disclosed that the greatest promise for reduced property damage costs lay in the use of more impact resistant fabrication materials. (3) investigation of methods of achieving protection for the passenger. Accessory equipment and replacement parts on existing vehicles were developed for safer packaging of the occupant, including seat belts, padding materials and steering wheel protectors.