Title: Improvement of accelerometers for pedestrian headform impactors in testing following Japanese vehicle safety regulations

Authors: Yasuhiro Matsui

Addresses: National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, 7-42-27 Jindaiji-Higashi-machi, Chofu, Tokyo, 182-0012, Japan

Abstract: Most pedestrian deaths in car-pedestrian accidents are due to head injuries. In 2005, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (J-MLIT) began assessing the safety of bonnets impacting on pedestrians' heads using headform impactors with designated technical specifications. J-MLIT has used Type Approval Regulation Version 1 of headform impactors fitted with small un-damped accelerometers since 2005. Meanwhile, oil-damped accelerometers have been used by J-MLIT Type Approval Regulation Version 2 headform impactors since 2010. This paper summarises the development of pedestrian headform impactors used in headform impact tests in Japan and points to increasing safety levels.

Keywords: pedestrian headform impactor; J-NCAP; Japanese vehicle safety regulation; accelerometers; pedestrian deaths; car-pedestrian accidents; head injuries; impact tests; Japan; vehicle bonnets.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2011.045785

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2011 Vol.5 No.4, pp.307 - 318

Published online: 15 Apr 2015 *

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