title: Biomechanical assessment of a rear-seat inflatable seatbelt in frontal impacts.
abstract: This study evaluated the biomechanical performance of a rear-seat inflatable seatbelt system and compared it to  that of a 3-point seatbelt system, which has a long history of good real-world performance. Frontal-impact sled tests were  conducted with Hybrid III anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) and with post mortem human subjects (PMHS) using both  restraint systems and a generic rear-seat configuration. Results from these tests demonstrated: a) reduction in forward head  excursion with the inflatable seatbelt system when compared to that of a 3-point seatbelt and; b) a reduction in ATD and PMHS  peak chest deflections and the number of PMHS rib fractures with the inflatable seatbelt system and c) a reduction in PMHS  cervical-spine injuries, due to the interaction of the chin with the inflated shoulder belt. These results suggest that an inflatable  seatbelt system will offer additional benefits to some occupants in the rear seats. Further research is needed to assess the field  effectiveness, customer comfort and acceptance and change in the belt usage rate with the inflatable seatbelt system.
authors.affiliation: Ford Motor Company, USA.
authors.forename: Srinivasan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sundararajan
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Rouhana
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Board
authors.forename: Ed
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: DeSmet
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: Carl S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Lawrence W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D008875:Middle Aged; D012622:Seat Belts; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control