2023-2024

Posture and Belt Fit of Children in Reclined Vehicle Seats

Principal Investigator: Gretchen Baker, PhD

With increased possibilities of advanced and autonomous driver assistance systems, future vehicle occupants may begin to engage in a wider range of activities and assume a larger range of postures, including reclined vehicle seatback orientations. However, no study has yet evaluated the influence of reclined vehicle scenarios on the static posture and belt fit for children.

Adjacently Restrained Pediatric Occupants and CRS Interaction in Oblique Impacts

Principal Investigator: Madeline Griffith, MS

The aim of this study is to use sled testing to examine the effect of child restraint system overlap and interaction on adjacently seated rearward- and forward-facing pediatric occupants in an oblique impact.

Anthropometric Variation in Premature Babies for Optimal CRS Fitment

Principal Investigator: Jalaj Maheshwari, MS

Testing standards, which regulate design of child restraint systems (CRS), have set upper weight limits for children. However, there is no regulation on the lower weight limit. CRS manufacturers generally recommend a 5 pound lower weight limit, which creates a challenge for premature infants who often weight less than 5 pounds. The specific aim of this study is to collect and analyze anthropometric dimensions across a range of low birth weight and…

Interactions Between Aircraft Airbags and Child Occupants

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

A variety of new air bags are being introduced into commercial aircraft cabins, with no currently available data to determine if any of the air bags offer protection to children, whether they might injure children, or whether they can be used in conjunction with child restraint systems (CRS) on aircraft. This study aims to provide these data through static installations and dynamic crash testing.

Pediatric Shoulder Anthropometry and Improvement of Belt Fit Evaluation Tools

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

The external contours of the shoulders of anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) are over-simplified and lack important anatomical details that are important to determine optimal shoulder belt placement. This study aims to develop an improved shoulder form to better represent children’s shoulders during belt fit evaluations using
current ATDs.

Interactions Between Rearward-Facing Child Restraint Systems with a Support Leg and the Center Console in Frontal Impact Sled Tests

Principal Investigator: Declan Patton, PhD

Installing a child restraint system (CRS) in the rear center seating position of a vehicle is common, especially rearward-facing CRS, as it is anecdotally considered the safest position. Only one study has investigated the interactions between rearward-facing CRS models and the center console during frontal impacts, which found that CRS contact with a center console resulted in elevated peak resultant head accelerations.

Identifying Key Eye-Tracking Metrics Associated with Cognitive Control While Driving, Validated by MEG Neuroimaging: Phase III

Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

Recent developments in eye-tracking and neuroimaging techniques are paving the way for novel approaches to understanding cognitive workload and cognitive errors during driving. Building on prior “MEG + Driving + Eye-Tracking” work, this study aims to (1) identify eye-tracking metrics that proxy increased cognitive control in a new cognitively challenging unanticipated steering task and (2) compare these eye-tracking metrics and frontal lobe…

Identifying Key Eye-Tracking Metrics Associated with Cognitive Control While Driving, Validated by MEG Neuroimaging: Phase III

Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Walshe, PhD

Recent developments in eye-tracking and neuroimaging techniques are paving the way for novel approaches to understanding cognitive workload and cognitive errors during driving. Building on prior “MEG + Driving + Eye-Tracking” work, this study aims to (1) identify eye-tracking metrics that proxy increased cognitive control in a new cognitively challenging unanticipated steering task and (2) compare these eye-tracking metrics and frontal lobe…

Identifying the Relationship Between Scanning and Executive Functions Among Young Drivers

Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

One aspect of driving that is both critical for crash avoidance and influenced by executive function is scanning, or the pattern of eye glances used to detect hazards. Previous research has shown that drivers with poor executive function are less likely to detect road hazards; however, these studies do not identify the underlying scanning patterns contributing to this poor hazard detection.

2022-2023

Identifying Key Eye-Tracking Metrics Associated with Cognitive Control While Driving, Validated by MEG Neuroimaging (Year 2)

Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

This study builds upon prior CChIPS work investigating cognition-based driving errors and seeks to identify eye tracking metrics associated with frontal lobe cognitive responses during a lead car following task.

Individual Differences in Driving: Phase I

Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Walshe, PhD

This project aims to develop, test, and finalize all protocols and recruitment processes to be used in a future randomized control trial of modern driver training in the context of Graduated Driver Licensing.

Effects of Head Restraint Interference on CRS Performance in Frontal and Side Impacts

Principal Investigator: John H. Bolte IV, PhD

This project aims to study the effects of head restraint interference on dynamic child restraint system (CRS) performance by conducting sled tests simulating frontal and far-side impacts.

Understanding Small Occupant Kinematic Response in Reclined Seats in Lateral Oblique Impacts by Testing the Large Omnidirectional Child (LODC) Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD)

Principal Investigator: Valentina Graci, PhD

Utilizing the Large Omnidirectional Child (LODC) anthropomorphic test device (ATD), this study evaluates the injury and submarining risk of reclined children in lateral oblique vehicle crashes, with and without a booster seat.

Effect of a Pre-Pretensioner on Motion of Booster Seated Children in a Pre-Crash Maneuver

Principal Investigator: Madeline Griffith, MS

This study seeks to evaluate the influence of a pre-pretensioner equipped seat belt on booster-seated child volunteers during sled-simulated pre-crash maneuvers.

Quantifying the Q3s ATD Responses in CRS Harness Misuse Cases in Far-side Impacts on the FMVSS 213 NPRM Test Bench

Principal Investigator: Jalaj Maheshwari, MS

This study examines the effects of 5-point harness misuse on the kinematic and kinetic response of a Q3s anthropomorphic test device (ATD) restrained in a forward-facing child restraint system on the new FMVSS 213 NPRM test bench.

Booster Features That Influence Pediatric Posture and Comfort During Extended Time Periods

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

This study aims to determine how specific booster seat features, including seat pan geometry (booster height and length) and the inclusion of armrests, influence occupant comfort in belt-positioning booster seats (BPBs).

Quantifying Belt Tension in CRS Installations with Lock-off and Tensioning Features

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

This study aims to quantify how much tension built-in tensioning features, such as a door or clasp that closes over the seat belt, produce on the belt.

Interactions Between Rear-Facing Child Restraint Systems and the Vehicle Door in Frontal-Oblique Impact Sled Tests

Principal Investigator: Declan Patton, PhD

This study aims to quantify the head and neck injury metrics associated with anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) in rear-facing child restraint system models for frontal-oblique impacts.

Strength of Underfloor Compartments When Loaded with a Support Leg During a Frontal Crash

Principal Investigator: Declan Patton, PhD

This study aims to quantify the strength of child restraint system support legs and underfloor compartments using drop tests.

2021-2022

Usability and Stability of European vs. American Belt Routing for No-Base CRS Installations

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

This project seeks to determine whether the American or European belt paths are practical installation options for US consumers by examining a sample of approximately 30 vehicles for their ability to accommodate no-base CRS installations.