2024-2025

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.

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.

2023-2024

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.

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…

2022-2023

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).