Do Crash Test Standards Need to be Re-Evaluated?
Discussion on Whether Current Test Methods Widen Disparity Between Large
and Small Vehicles Planned at SAE 2003 World Congress
WARRENDALE, Pa., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Fixed-barrier frontal crash
tests, such as those used by the federal government and an insurance
industry- sponsored organization, may need to be re-evaluated because
they could be making large and small vehicles less compatible in crashes.
Attendees at the Society of Automotive Engineers' hallmark event will
have a chance to hear a presentation from engineers who will present
this case.
In a technical paper to be presented during the SAE 2003 World Congress
(March 3 - 6, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA) authors Mukul Verma,
Principle Engineer, Robert Lange, Executive Director of Safety Structure
and Integration and Joseph Lavelle, Senior Engineer of General Motors
will discuss whether crash test regulations as well as non-regulatory
procedures need to be revisited. Their research shows that fixed-barrier
tests (in which a vehicle is crashed into a stationary object such as
a wall) have led to larger vehicles with stiffer, or stronger, front
ends with higher force levels. While these vehicles score higher on
the tests, the tests themselves may have the unintended effect of widening
the disparity between large and small vehicles.
"In researching
the subject, we considered various vehicle characteristics and the potential
to address the balance of self- and partner-protection in a fleet of
large and small vehicles," said Lange. As one of the influencing
factors, they examined the effects of certain vehicle level test conditions
on vehicle structure and collision compatibility. The authors will discuss
whether these test procedures could be revisited to perhaps bring more
real- world relevance to the tests and to improve collision compatibility.
"GM is currently
participating in an industry-wide effort to address collisions between
smaller and larger vehicles, including light truck-based vehicles,"
Lange said. "One group is studying frontal collisions and another
is focusing on side impacts. The groups are expected to issue recommendations
before summer."
Presentation of
"Relationship of Crash Test Procedures to Vehicle Compatibility"
(SAE paper 2003-01-0900), will take place Wednesday, March 5 at 1:00
p.m. in room W2-67 at Cobo Center.
SAE World Congress,
the world's largest showcase of automotive engineering technologies,
attracts attendees from more than 40 countries. This year's host is
DaimlerChrysler. Also new to the SAE 2003 World Congress: DaimlerChrysler,
Ford and General Motors will hold corporate meetings during the SAE
World Congress, followed by VIP tours of the SAE 2003 exhibit floor.
To attend the SAE
2003 World Congress event, visit www.sae.org
or call 1-877-SAE-CONG (723-2664); outside the U.S. and Canada, call
1-724-772-4027.
SAE is a non-profit
engineering and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement
of mobility technology to better serve humanity. Nearly 84,000 engineers
and scientists who are SAE members develop technical information on
all forms of self-propelled vehicles, including automobiles, aircraft,
aerospace craft, trucks, buses, marine, rail and transit machinery.
This information is disseminated through SAE meetings, books, electronic
products and databases, technical papers, standards, reports, and professional
development programs.
Source: Society
of Automotive Engineers
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