Analysis of Human Test Subject Kinematic Responses to Low Velocity Rear End Impacts

Abstract

<div class="htmlview paragraph">The head, neck and <b>trunk kinematic</b> responses of four volunteer test subjects, recorded during a series of experimental low velocity motor vehicle collisions, have been measured and analyzed. Using <b>data</b> obtained from multiple high speed film, video and electronic accelerometer measurements of the test subjects, it was found that the actual <b>kinematic</b> responses of the human head, neck and trunk that occur during low velocity <b>rearend</b> collisions are more complex than previously thought. Our findings indicate that the time-honored description of the cervical “whiplash” response is both incomplete and inaccurate.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Although the classic “whiplash” neck response to <b>rearend</b> collisions and the widely accepted <b>hyperextension/hyperflexion</b> cervical injury <b>mechanism</b> have been extensively written and speculated about, there have been little human experimental <b>data</b> available, especially for low velocity collisions. Low velocity collisions are defined in this report as motor vehicle collisions in which the impact related change of the <b>rearended</b> vehicle's velocity (AV) is about 12.9 kph (8 mph) or less. Throughout nearly 4 decades of experimental crash testing, low velocity mishaps (as defined above) have been felt to have a minor injury causation potential and have remained a relatively unstudied area. The absence of good experimental <b>data,</b> accurately defining real occupant <b>kinematic</b> response during this common type of traffic accident has spawned a plethora of divergent concepts, ideas and speculation about possible injury mechanisms.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">In February 1991, a series of vehicle collision tests using fully instrumented volunteer human test <b>subject/drivers</b> and a Hybrid III <b>manikin</b> passenger was conducted, utilizing local testing facilities. <b>This</b> project was undertaken to better define human, dummy and vehicle responses during low velocity collisions.</div>