Applus+ IDIADA develops a set of procedures to understand occupant behaviour in pre-crash scenarios

Applus+ IDIADA has developed a validated set of procedures to better understand pre-crash occupant behaviour in order to assess the impact of ADAS functionalities on occupant protection. This new methodology combines pre-crash testing, on both driving simulator and proving ground, and Human Body Model (HBM) simulations.

These new procedures expand the work in the pre-crash and in-crash phases with HBM simulations using active muscle response, which have been correlated with data gathered from a wide variety of occupants in real testing at our own test track facilities. The reason for including a wide variety of users in the study is to properly assess possible differences in occupant behaviour and the extent to which these differences interfere with the overall performance of restraint systems in a pre-crash scenario.

Cutting-edge technology has been key in collecting a large amount of data to assess the response of the vehicle occupants and to measure instinctive human reactions in a potentially harmful situation.

Combining different areas of expertise with Human Body Models

This new service has been made possible by connecting the expertise of Applus+ IDIADA’s professionals from the fields of Passive Safety, Human Factors, Body Development, and the use of HBM simulations with active musculature.

Data from occupant behaviour, kinematics, and seating positions in pre-crash scenarios has been analysed by Applus+ IDIADA’s Passive Safety team to understand the effect on restraint system performance by combining the know-how from various safety engineering fields.

The Human Factors team has developed a test methodology capable of observing occupants’ kinematics and muscular response just before the collision takes place. This methodology has been validated through tests with real participants both in the driving simulator and with real vehicles in a controlled environment at Applus+ IDIADA’s Proving Ground in Spain.

From a Body Development perspective, the integrated safety of the restraint systems has been analysed using HBM simulations. Pre-crash scenarios were simulated based on data gathered with real participants, followed by an in-crash safety assessment. The result was a holistic safety assessment of the vehicle’s restraint system.

The development of this methodology will certainly be key to better understanding the influence of Active Safety systems on restraint system performance for occupant protection in the event of a crash, and to elaborate effective countermeasures that can be applied to support the development of safer vehicles.