1. Vehicle Crash Testing
Adam Hedges

2. Testing Testing Agencies Why Test?
NHTSA – New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Why Test?
To provide Consumers with better understand of vehicle capabilities and to stimulate further improvements from manufacturers

3. Methods NHTSA - NCAP IIHS NCAP Program – began 1978
Provide 5 Star Safety Ratings
Conduct Tests:
Frontal, Side, Side Pole, Rollover,
Changed Test Methods in 2010
Non-profit. established in 1959
Provide Ratings: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, Poor
Conducts Tests:
Frontal (2), Side, Head Restraint, Roof Strength, Frontal Collision Avoidance

4. NHTSA – NCAP Testing Frontal Crash Test
Head on into Rigid barrier at 35mph
Dummies belted in front seats
Data recorded on forces on head, neck, chest, legs
Post 2010 – passenger dummy replaced with 5th percentile female.

5. NHTSA – NCAP Testing Side Testing
Vehicle struck on left by 3,015 lb. at 38.5 mph
Since 2011: Data collected on forces on head, chest, abdomen, pelvis – previously chest
Rear Passenger dummy – 5th percentile female

6. NHTSA – NCAP Testing Side Pole Testing – NEW
5th percentile female dummy
Vehicle pulled into pole at 75 degree angle at 20mph into drivers side

7. NHTSA Testing Dynamic Rollover Test System
Mimic dynamics of real world rollover crash
Wide range of conditions
Record information on vehicle kinematics, boundary conditions, and deformations

8. IIHS Testing Frontal Crash Moderate Overlap – 40% overlap impact
Deformable barrier
Small Overlap – 25% overlap impact
Rigid Barrier
40 mph
Forces recorded from dummies: neck, chest, legs, and feet

9. IIHS Testing Side Crash
3300 lb. striking barrier hits vehicle at 31mph.
Hits higher than NHTSA test
Dummy records forces on head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and leg
Dummy to represent small female or 12 year old is utilized

10. IIHS Testing Roof Strength Test Rollover Evaluation
Steady Constant force applied to one side of roof at varying strength: weight ratios
Peak Ratio of strength before deflection of 5in.

11. Rating Comparisons NHTSA IIHS
Star+Safety+Ratings/2011- Newer+Vehicles/Vehicle-Detail?vehicleId=8577
a/camry

12. Sample Tests IIHS Test Videos NHTSA Test Videos Tesla – Breaks Test?
breaks rollover test
USA Today

13. Questions?