NHTSA uses a variety of computer modelling techniques to develop and evaluate test methods and mitigation concepts, and to estimate safety benefits for many of NHTSA's research activities. Computer modeling has been particularly beneficial for estimating safety benefits where often very little data are available. Also modeling allows researchers to augment test data by simulating crashes over a wider range of conditions than would otherwise be feasible. These capabilities are used for a wide range of projects from school bus to frontal, side, and rollover research programs. This paper provides an overview of these activities. NHTSA's most extensive modeling research involves developing finite element and articulated mass models to evaluate a range of vehicles and crash environments. These models are being used to develop a fleet wide systems model for evaluating compatibility issues.
Author(s):
Stephen M. Summers, William T. Hollowell
Affiliated:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Pages: 5
Event:
International Technical Conference on Enhanced Safety of Vehicles
Related Topics:
Computer simulation
Buses
Test procedures
Simulation and modeling
Rollover accidents
Research and development
Crashes
Technical review
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