Experimental Study on Neck Injury in Low Speed Frontal and Rear-End Collisions

Experimental Study on Neck Injury in Low Speed Frontal and Rear-End Collisions

Motor vehicle accidents in rear impacts cause more than fifty percents of drivers to suffer from neck injuries. It is known that most neck injuries are associated with rear-end collisions at a speed lower than 32 km/h and between the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 1 and AIS 2. Two different types of low speed crash tests such as the frontal barrier and rear moving barrier crashes have been conducted by following the procedure of the Research Committee for Automobile Repairs (RCAR). The injury for the neck and the Head Injury Criteria (HIC) were measured by using the sensors mounted on dummies. We reviewed neck injures and the relationship between the neck and head injuries, and examined the deceleration of the body. Using the experimental test data at the neck, we investigated an improved neck injury criterion Nij. Also, the effects of the position of a head restraint on reducing the frequency and severity of the neck injury in rear-end collisions were investigated.