Text: by Krystoffer Mroz, Martin Östling, Corina Klug, Patrick Höschele and Nils Lubbe
Five intersection crashes between two vehicles, one autonomous and one manually driven, originating from the OSCCAR project, reported in Höschele et al. (see summary above) were investigated to identify the most severe crash scenarios for occupants in vehicles equipped with ADS (Automated Driving Systems). The SAFER human body model and models of a semi-rigid seat and a triple-pretensioned, load-limited belt system were used to calculate occupant kinematics and injury metrics
The study identified a left turn across path opposite direction and a straight crossing path crashes (at delta-Vs of 41 and 46 km/h, respectively) as most severe and recommends these to supplement occupant safety assessments. Their inclusions would facilitate changes that would improve belt retention and reduce thoracic injuries if accompanied with more stringent requirements, as well as highlight the kinematic loading of lumbar spine and pelvis as emerging focus areas.
Concretely, Autoliv's 3+2 or rucksack belts might be promoted for improved retention and crash-severity adaptive seat belt or seat track load limiting might be in demand for their ability to balance low- and high-speed injury prevention requirements.
