National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
Vehicle Research & Test Center
(VRTC)
Crashworthiness
Division
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The Crashworthiness group at NHTSA VRTC conducts research and
vehicle testing to examine issues relating to vehicle structural integrity, crash tests,
occupant protection, & automotive defects investigations.
Don Willke is the Chief of the Crashworthiness Division at
VRTC.
VRTC CRASHWORTHINESS
RESEARCH AREAS:
(Follow these links for project descriptions, current status information, and publications)
School Bus Safety
Defects Investigations
Window Glazing
(Under Construction)
Heavy Truck Aggressivity
(Under Construction)
OTHER CRASHWORTHINESS
INFORMATION:
DOT Auto Safety Hotline
Crashworthiness Publications
Performance of Selected Event Data Recorders
(Adobe Acrobat format, 1.26 MB)
- This report describes the findings of a study to compare the performance of selected Event Data Recorders (EDR’s) in recording the crash environment for severe impact
conditions.
Inspection and Testing of Low Speed Vehicles
(Adobe Acrobat format, 11.59 MB)
- In response to petitions by the golf cart industry
NHTSA reviewed its position on low speed vehicles and has taken steps to define a new
class of low speed vehicle (LSV) which is exempt from the federal motor vehicle safety
standards (FMVSS) that apply to motor vehicles. A new safety standard, FMVSS 100, has
been proposed to regulate this new class of vehicle. This report describes a survey
and a series of tests conducted to evaluate the safety and stability of LSVs.
Quasi Static and Dynamic Roof Crush Testing
(Adobe Acrobat format, 1.97 MB)
- The object of this report was to determine the
correlation between roof crush perfomance measured quasi-statically and dynamically.
Nine vehicles where tested in the quasi-static mode and six vehicles were tested by
dropping them on their roofs. An equation for predicting dynamic energy slope from
static data was developed.
Crashworthiness Data
- Buying a Safer Car: Star ratings,
crash testing, and comparative safety information by model year. Lists safety features and
gives crash test ratings of frontal protection of new and used cars to help consumers make
purchase decisions.
- Compliance Reporting: Crash tests
performed at 30 mph and other safety tests to determine if car makers have met minimum
Federal requirements.
Crashworthiness Personnel (Under Construction)
Additional NHTSA R&D; Crashworthiness Information
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Last Updated: 15-Jul-02
June 2000 Government/Industy Presentation: School Bus Restraint Study
(Adobe Acrobat format,1.33 MB)