New child-like crash test dummy An EU team developed a new crash test dummy representing children aged 10-12. The study also revised testing protocols, and examined injury risk curves using the new dummy. Transport and Mobility © Noel Hendrickson, Thinkstock Recent EU regulations require that children up to 150 cm tall use a size-appropriate child restraint when travelling in vehicles fitted with seatbelts. Previous testing had been completed with the obsolete P-dummy, yet the newer Q-dummy has not yet been tested in side impacts for children aged 10-12. The EU-funded EPOCH (Enabling protection for older children) project produced a new prototype dummy. The team also extended testing protocols to include older children. EPOCH additionally proposed performance limits for the eventual testing of child restraints using Q-series dummies. The broader target was assessment of the effectiveness of child restraints on older children. Work started with a review of previous research detailing car crash injuries to older children. The team also analysed data from the United Kingdom about such injuries to children aged 6-12. Researchers determined the key injury mechanisms and points, thereby identifying the new dummy’s measurement capacity requirements. The team detailed such requirements in complex specifications, which formed the foundation for the dummy’s design. The specifications were disseminated to project stakeholders, who favoured development of a dummy equivalent to a 10.5-year-old child. Researchers responded to the feedback, proceeding with a new dummy plan incorporating suitable anthropometric data. The team also compiled a list of functional, calibration and other requirements for the new dummy, called Q10. They further detailed a list of requirements to demonstrate compliance. Researchers reviewed methods for development of injury risk curves, and then developed a set of such curves for the Q10 dummy. EPOCH staff produced a dummy to the specification. Next, the team evaluated compliance using sled-based crash testing. Further testing established the Q10 prototype’s appropriateness for regulatory and consumer testing. Project partners extended development of the injury risk curves to reflect assessment of the dummy thorax under belt loading, obtained from the THORAX project. They developed pass-fail assessment criteria for the dummy for use with EU regulations. Results will mean more realistic and safer crash testing for children. Such outcomes translate to safer automotive products. Keywords Crash test dummy, children, injury risk curves, EPOCH, child restraints
