Occupant Kinematics and Injuries during High Speed Side Impacts: An Analysis of ARAI Data 2016-2024

The objective of the present study is to examine trends in occupant kinematics and injuries during side impact tests carried out on vehicle models over the period of time. Head, shoulder, torso, spine, and pelvis kinematic responses are analysed for driver dummy in high speed side impacts for vehicle model years, MY2016-2024. Side impact test data from the tests conducted at The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is examined for MY2016-2024. The test procedure is as specified in AIS099 or UNECE R95, wherein a 950kg moving deformable barrier (MDB) impacts the side of stationary vehicle at 50km/hr. An Instrumented 50th percentile male EUROSID-2 Anthropomorphic Test Device is positioned in the driver seat on the impacting side. Occupant kinematic data, including head accelerations, Head Injury Criterion (HIC15), Torso deflections at thorax and abdominal ribs, spine accelerations at T12 vertebra, and pelvis accelerations are evaluated and compared. The “peak” and “time to- peak” responses are compared across different vehicle model years. The effect of delta-V, vehicle MY, on occupant kinematics is examined. For different vehicle delta V, MY2016-2020 demonstrated higher average peak kinematic responses compared to the MY2020-2024. The present study enhances the existing database of occupant kinematics in side impacts. A general trend of reduction in occupant kinematics and risks for injury is observed in vehicle models over the past decade.