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WHIPS--Volvo's Whiplash Protection Study.
L Jakobsson1, B Lundell, H Norin
1Volvo Car Corporation, Gothenburg, Sweden. vcc.lottaja@memo.volvo.se
Accident; Analysis and Prevention
|February 25, 2000
Summary
Whiplash associated disorders (WAD) from car accidents are a significant concern. Volvo
Area of Science:
- Automotive safety engineering
- Biomechanics
- Injury prevention
Background:
- Whiplash associated disorders (WAD) are a growing problem from rear-end car impacts, causing long-term issues.
- Understanding injury mechanisms is crucial for developing effective protection strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review Volvo's Whiplash Protection Study (WHIPS) and its decade-long research on neck injuries in car collisions.
- To present guidelines, requirements, and test methods for improved WAD protection in rear-end impacts.
Main Methods:
- Accident research and biomechanical analysis to understand injury mechanisms.
- Development and testing of a new rear-end impact dummy, BioRID.
- Design and evaluation of the WHIPS-seat for enhanced occupant protection.
Main Results:
- Accident and biomechanical research highlight the need to consider the entire occupant spine and seat.
- The new BioRID dummy provides valuable data for testing rear-end impact protection.
- The WHIPS-seat demonstrates significant potential for reducing WAD in low-to-moderate severity impacts.
Conclusions:
- Focusing on low and moderate impact severities is key for WAD prevention.
- Individual occupant differences, seating position, and posture must be considered.
- The WHIPS-seat offers considerable potential for increased protection against whiplash injuries.
