2024-2025

Analyzing the Effect of Pretensioner Firing Times and Seat Belt Pull-in Lengths on Booster-seated Pediatric Occupant Kinematics and Kinetics

Principal Investigator: Jalaj Maheshwari, MS

This project aims to understand the effect of advanced restraints on the injury response of pediatric occupants restrained in the vehicle’s rear seat by examining the effect of different pretensioner firing times and seat belt pull-in lengths on booster-seated PIPER 6- and- 10-year-old pediatric human body models in full-frontal and far-side impacts.

Effects of Pretensioners and Load Limiters on Rear-facing and Forward-facing CRS with Loose Installations and Belt Lock-off Features

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

While the addition of pretensioners and load limiters in the rear row have an expected safety benefit for adults, less is known about the impact on children in rear-facing (RF) or forward-facing (FF) child restraint systems (CRS). This study will utilize sled testing to quantify differences in CRS performance with and without pretensioners and load limiters and evaluate whether these are advantageous to child occupants in modern CRS.

Rear-facing CRS in Rear Impacts: Timing of CRS Rotation Compared to Front Row Seat Back Deformation

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

This study aims to better understand how changes to front row occupant safety will affect children seated in the rear row. Using new and previously performed sled testing data, investigators will define the rotational timing and kinematics of rear-facing child restraint systems (RF CRS) in rear impacts to contextualize design changes in front row seat deformation kinematics.

Interactions Between the CRS and Front Row Seatback in Full-Scale Vehicle Frontal Crash Tests

Principal Investigator: Declan Patton, PhD

This study builds on and enhances prior CChIPS research on the interactions between rearward-facing child restraint systems (CRS) and the front row seatback during frontal impacts. Using the Transport Canada full-scale vehicle crash test database, investigators will further characterize the interactions between the anthropomorphic test device (ATD) head and/or CRS and front row seatback during frontal crashes.

Scanning Among Adolescent Learner Drivers

Principal Investigator: Thomas Seacrist, MBE

Co-Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Walshe, PhD / CHOP has developed and validated a novel virtual driving assessment (VDA) for predicting on-road outcomes in new drivers, including crash risk early in licensure. Utilizing eye tracking recording, this study will use a CHOP patient sample of new young drivers (before, during and after the learner phase) to understand how scanning varies across the learner period during specific driving…

An Epidemiological Approach Leveraging State and National Data to Evaluate Pediatric Injury Outcomes in Motor Vehicle Crashes

Principal Investigator: Gretchen Baker, PhD

The goal of this study is to provide updated assessment on the contributing factors to child injury risk during motor vehicle crashes using recent crash and injury data from state and national databases. Outcomes will include updated injury rates for children and adolescents at the state (Ohio) and national levels, with an emphasis on identifying the role of vehicle, crash characteristics, and appropriate restraint.

Variation in Thoracic and Abdominal Shapes and their Influence on Posture and Seat Belt Fit for Adolescent Females

Principal Investigator: Gretchen Baker, PhD

This study aims to fill a knowledge gap by conducting a targeted investigation on the belt fit and posture of a cohort of 60 adolescent and young adult females (10–21y) in a rear seat vehicle environment. Specifically, the influence of thoracic and abdominal anthropometric variation on posture and belt fit outcomes will be investigated. Adolescent outcomes will be compared to relevant anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) to compare posture and belt fit…

Characterizing BPB-seated Children Kinematics in Lateral-oblique Impacts With and Without the Lower Anchor

Principal Investigator: Valentina Graci, PhD

Lower anchors in belt-positioning-boosters (BPBs) have been previously evaluated only in frontal impacts. As many caregivers use BPBs without the lower anchors connected, potentially during travel with a child, it’s important to understand how the lower anchor connection may influence the child’s kinematics and kinetics across different impact angles.