2016-2017

Usability of Non-standard Lower Anchor Spacing for CRS Installations

Principal Investigator: John H. Bolte IV, PhD

Vehicle manufacturers are under increased pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to provide the option of using LATCH in the rear center position of vehicles. One possible solution to this request is to allow consumers to “borrow” the inboard lower anchor from each outboard LATCH position to create a “simulated” center LATCH position. However, these borrowed lower…

Performance of Rear-facing CRS in Rear Impacts

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

In frontal and oblique impacts, rear-facing (RF) CRS distribute crash forces throughout the occupant’s back and keep the head, neck, and spine safely aligned. However, in a rear impact, the overall kinematics of the crash are reversed and the five point harness becomes the primary loading surface for the occupant’s weight. The objective of this research is to investigate the response of RF CRS occupants in rear impacts, a currently under-addressed…

2015-2016

Compatibility of Belt-positioning Boosters in Vehicles

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

The broad objective of this research is to increase belt-positioning booster usage for children who are not yet large enough for adult seat belts. This study aims to quantify common compatibility issues which may be prompting poor usage rates of belt-positioning boosters, highlight the strengths and weaknesses of booster compatibility in the market today, and provide benchmark values for manufacturers to reference during design decisions.

Quantifying CRS Fit in the Vehicle Seat Environment – Focusing on Incompatibilities

Principal Investigator: Amanda Agnew, PhD

Wide varieties of child restraint systems (CRS) and vehicle interior designs suggest that not every CRS can fit seamlessly into every vehicle. Previous work has identified specific areas of incompatibility between a large portion of CRS and vehicles available on the US market. The long-term objective of this study was to improve fitment between CRS and vehicle models by establishing the frequency, severity, and consequences of various incompatibilities.

Quantifying CRS Fit in the Vehicle Seat Environment – Focusing on Incompatibilities

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

Wide varieties of child restraint systems (CRS) and vehicle interior designs suggest that not every CRS can fit seamlessly into every vehicle. Previous work has identified specific areas of incompatibility between a large portion of CRS and vehicles available on the US market. The long-term objective of this study was to improve fitment between CRS and vehicle models by establishing the frequency, severity, and consequences of various incompatibilities.

2012-2013

Quantifying CRS Fit in the Vehicle Seat Environment: Dimensional Comparison Approach

Principal Investigator: Amanda Agnew, PhD

The research goals of this study are to quantitatively define good fit of a child restraint system to a vehicle, to develop a correlation matrix to characterize good fit between various child restraint systems and vehicle seats; and to quantify any changes to child restraint system characteristics that influence good fit over time. 

Quantifying CRS Fit in the Vehicle Seat Environment: Dimensional Comparison Approach

Principal Investigator: Julie Mansfield, PhD

The research goals of this study are to quantitatively define good fit of a child restraint system to a vehicle, to develop a correlation matrix to characterize good fit between various child restraint systems and vehicle seats; and to quantify any changes to child restraint system characteristics that influence good fit over time.