A Comparative Study Between China and IHRA for the Vehicle-Pedestrian Impact

<div class="htmlview paragraph">A total of 200 detailed pedestrian accident cases of several areas in China were collected and analysed during last three years, the important information mainly include accident conditions, pedestrian information, human injury, vehicle injury sources, impact velocity, wrap around distance, and so on.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The front shape of 37 passenger cars with high occupancy in domestic market involved in the accident cases were investigated and categorized into three groups: Sedan, SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) and 1-Box (One Box Vehicle), so that the effect of vehicle front shapes on the pedestrian impact dynamics response and body injuries were studied.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Then, the mathematical models for simulation of vehicle-pedestrian impact were developed using multi-body dynamics codes MADYMO to study response of pedestrian in vehicle-pedestrian impact. A parameter study was conducted under the conditions of different pedestrian size, impact velocities and vehicle shapes to determine and analyse the head impact condition which include HIC, head impact speed, head impact angle, WAD, head impact point, and so on.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The research result was compared to that of IHRA (International Harmonized Research Activities). It was found that the characteristics of pedestrian accidents in China had many similarities between that of IHRA. The simulation result of head impact condition according to front shape of passenger cars in Chinese market was also similar to that of IHRA pedestrian working group. This study provides an effective basis of technical regulation for research on pedestrian test procedures and development of safer vehicle for pedestrian protection.</div>