2025-2026

Effects of Pretensioners/Pre-Pretensioners on the Belt Fit and Posture of Booster Occupants

Principal Investigator: Gretchen Baker, PhD

As belt-positioning boosters rely on the vehicle seat belt to provide the primary restraint of the child, boosters offer the opportunity for child occupants to benefit from other vehicle safety technologies, such as pretensioners and pre-pretensioners. With the prevalence of rear seat pretensioners expected to increase, this study aims to investigate the ability of pretensioners or pre-pretensioners to reduce initial belt gap and how this might vary.

Leveraging the National Digital Check Form (NDCF) Database to Assess Real World Child Restraint System Use and the Effect of Car Seat Check Education

Principal Investigator: Gretchen Baker, PhD

The National Safety Council compiles car seat check inspection data (National Digital Check Form, NDCF) which represents 270,000+ inspections, offering a valuable dataset to assess real-world child restrain system (CRS) use. This project aims to provide in-depth analysis of the NDCF dataset from 2018-2024 to better understand the characteristics of current CRS use and how this varies with child and vehicle characteristics.

2024-2025

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…

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.