Crashtest

Crashtest, in the context of automotive safety, refers to a controlled collision conducted to evaluate how a vehicle performs in a crash and how well it protects occupants. These tests are carried out in specialized laboratories using instrumented vehicles and crash dummies to measure responses such as deceleration, intrusion, and forces exerted on occupants. The results inform safety design, regulatory compliance, and consumer information.

Tests typically cover frontal, side, rear, and rollover scenarios, and may include pedestrian protection and small-overlap impacts. Frontal tests involve a vehicle colliding with a deformable barrier at a specified speed, while side-impact tests use moving barriers or poles to simulate a lateral crash. Rollover simulations assess roof strength and occupant protection under tipping conditions. Crash dummies, such as the Hybrid III and more advanced THOR models, are equipped with sensors to record accelerations, chest and head responses, and other injury proxies. Data are used to evaluate injury criteria and the effectiveness of energy-absorbing structures.

Regulatory and consumer testing programs include Euro NCAP, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These programs develop protocols, rating schemes, and test speeds, with results influencing vehicle design and market labeling. Some assessments also address pedestrian protection and crashworthiness for vulnerable road users.

Outcomes of crashtests drive design improvements like enhanced crumple zones, reinforced occupant compartments, airbags, and advanced restraint systems. Limitations include the biofidelity of dummies, the variability of real-world crashes, and the challenge of replicating every possible scenario in a laboratory setting.