Crashworthiness

Lives can be saved in automobile, train, or aircraft crashes. We have developed innovative software modeling techniques to measure vehicle crashworthiness and use biomechanics to analyze crash scenarios for NHTSA. Our engineers use the same techniques to provide crashworthiness expertise to the FRA. We have transferred the experience gained in evaluating injuries to motor vehicle drivers and passengers in crash scenarios to studies being conducted for seat configuration and restraint systems in trains. We are also using these techniques to test passenger seats for Amtrak's high-speed trains, and to construct prototype passenger seat belts. In addition, the Center has explored opportunities to work collaboratively with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on ways to apply these techniques to aircraft safety such as by applying the Center's experience using lumped parameter modeling to aircraft passenger survivor studies.

Contact for more information:

• Structures and Dynamics Division

  Michael Coltman, Division Chief
  Phone: 617/494-2591
  E-mail: coltman@volpe.dot.gov

• Advanced Safety Technology Division

  Kevin Green, Division Chief
  Phone: 617/494-2106
  E-mail: kevin.green@volpe.dot.gov

Related information:

• Rail Equipment Crashworthiness Research

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