FIELD RELEVANCE OF A SUITE OF ROLLOVER TESTS TO REAL-WORLD CRASHES AND INJURIES. IN: OCCUPANT AND VEHICLE RESPONSES IN ROLLOVERS

This chapter on the field relevance of a suite of rollover tests to real-world crashes and injuries is from a comprehensive textbook on occupant and vehicle responses in rollovers. In this chapter, the authors assessed the distribution of rollover accidents occurring in the field and compared the vehicle kinematics in the predominant field crash modes with available laboratory tests. Results showed that rollovers were most commonly induced when the lateral motion of the vehicle was suddenly slowed or stopped (this type is referred to as a trip-over). Trip-overs accounted for 57% of passenger car and 51% of light truck vehicle (LTV) rollovers. More than 90% of trip-overs were initiated by ground contact. The second most common rollover type was fall-overs, which account for 13% of passenger car and 15% of LTV rollovers. Bounce-overs only accounted for 8% of both the passenger car and LTV rollovers. The authors report on the three additional tests (soil-trip, curb-trip, and ditch fall-over) they devised that more fully address the field relevant conditions. The injury distribution for belted/non-ejected drivers was assessed for trip-over, fall-over, and bounce-over accidents. The authors conclude that field data is useful in the development of laboratory test conditions for rollovers as it provides understanding on the significance of various rollover types, understanding of injury biomechanics, guidance for future testing, and inputs for mathematical modeling.