Limits for survivability in frontal collisions: Theory and real-life data combined

The limits for survivability in vehicle frontal collisions are unknown. This paper proposes a new hypothesis that occupant risk in frontal collisions is due to both inertial and crushing injuries and that the limits of survivability in frontal collisions are principally due to the complete crushing of vehicles at high ΔV's. Analysis of the NASS data for the period 1982–1991 for AIS3+ injury and fatality to belted and unbelted drivers shows that the real world distributions of risk with ΔV are asymptotic to 1.0 over similar ΔV ranges and over a lower speed range than that predicted from intrusion/complete car crush alone. This is consistent with the proposed hypothesis as human biomechanical loading also influences survivability. While the hypothesis is supported by the presently available limited high-speed collision data, further in-depth investigations should be undertaken to confirm the ultimate limits of survivability.