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Updated: Dec 23, 2025
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A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
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Far Side Impact Injury Threshold Recommendations Based on 6 Paired WorldSID / Post-Mortem Human Subjects Tests.
Philippe Petit1, Xavier Trosseille1, Jérome Uriot2
1LAB PSA Peugeot Citroën Renault (Nanterre - France).
Stapp Car Crash Journal
|April 21, 2020
Summary
Far side impacts cause serious injuries. A new Euro NCAP test protocol was evaluated using Post Mortem Human Subjects (PMHS) and WorldSID dummies, showing good correlation for head excursion but poor dummy repeatability. Neck and thorax injury predictions were promising.
Area of Science:
- Road safety research
- Biomechanical engineering
- Injury biomechanics
Background:
- Far-side impacts are a significant cause of vehicle occupant injuries and fatalities.
- Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) introduced a far-side test protocol to evaluate adult occupant protection.
- This protocol is set to become integral to vehicle safety ratings for models launched from 2020 onwards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of the Euro NCAP far-side test protocol.
- To compare injury outcomes and biomechanical responses between Post Mortem Human Subjects (PMHS) and the WorldSID dummy.
- To contribute to the development of injury assessment limits for far-side impacts.
Main Methods:
- A specialized test buck with a rigid seat and central console was constructed.
- Six paired tests were conducted using both PMHS and WorldSID dummies subjected to the Euro NCAP far-side protocol.
- Peak head excursion was measured and compared; dummy repeatability was assessed; PMHS injuries were documented (AIS grades for cervical spine, thorax, and abdomen).
Main Results:
- Peak head excursion measurements between PMHS and the WorldSID dummy were found to be reasonably similar.
- The repeatability of the WorldSID dummy in the tested configuration was poor.
- Excellent prediction of hard thorax injuries was observed. Neck injury prediction data, combined with literature, led to a proposed Injury Risk Curve for neck extension.
Conclusions:
- The Euro NCAP far-side test protocol shows potential for assessing occupant protection, particularly for thorax injuries.
- Further improvements are needed to enhance the repeatability of the WorldSID dummy for far-side impact testing.
- The study provides a basis for developing more accurate injury risk curves for far-side neck extension injuries.
