Transportation Expertise

Crash Dummy Design and Development

UMTRI researchers have a long history of developing design and performance specifications for anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) based on the latest knowledge of anthropometry, human biomechanical response, injury mechanisms, and injury tolerance. They also have extensive experience in the development of prototype ATD components that comply with those specifications and the implementation of new instrumentation that can assess injury potential in motor-vehicle crashes. UMTRI researchers developed the anthropometric specifications for small female, mid-size male, and large male adult crash dummies, as well as the design specifications for advanced frontal impact dummies. They also developed the initial more humanlike prototypes for the shoulders, thorax, and spine of the THOR ATD. Most recently, UMTRI researchers have developed a new generation of a small female pregnant ATD (MAMA-2B), and they are working on design improvements to the Hybrid III family of pediatric ATDs to improve kinematics during interaction with different types and configurations of belt restraints.

Selected projects in this area:

Modifying Child ATD Pelvis Designs
Sponsor: George Washington University
Investigator: Kathleen DeSantis Klinich
01/01/2006 - 06/01/2008

Investigations of Crashes Involving Pregnant Occupants
Sponsor: General Motors
Investigator: Kathleen DeSantis Klinich
08/19/1996 - 03/31/1999

Investigation of Airbag-Induced Forearm Fractures
Sponsor:
Investigator: Lawrence Schneider
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000

Abdominal Impact Response Characterization
Sponsor: General Motors
Investigator: Lawrence Schneider
03/01/1996 - 03/31/2000

Development of the MAMA-2B Pregnant Crash Test Dummy
Sponsor: General Motors
Investigator: Jonathan Rupp
11/01/1996 - 03/31/2000

Upgrading Anthropometry of Child ATDs
Sponsor: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Investigator: Matthew Reed
02/01/2005 - 07/01/2007

Abdominal and Pelvic Response and Injury Research
Sponsor: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Investigator: Jonathan Rupp
02/01/2005 - 07/01/2008

Occupant Classification Anthropomorphic Test Device (OCATD)
Sponsor:
Investigator: Matthew Reed
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000