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Four Toyota vehicles were tested in 12 test conditions to compare the Event Data Recorder (EDR) results with data gathered from onboard test instrumentation and the test protocol. The four Toyota vehicles tested were 2013 Model Year (MY) vehicles with EDRs that meet 49 CFR CH. V Part 563. While the previous Toyota EDR versions captured four pre-crash parameters, this generation Toyota EDR (12EDR) includes additional operating parameters and a faster sampling rate before the event trigger, including additional parameters not required by Part 563. The main focus of this research was to analyze the recording of the following driver inputs: accelerator pedal application, brake pedal application, steering wheel angle, and cruise control activation. The EDR-recorded inputs were compared with the values on the HS-CAN. The test results indicate that the 12EDR accurately recorded these driver inputs.

Modern event data recorders (EDRs) can provide useful information regarding vehicle incidents. EDR information, when used in conjunction with the available physical information, can greatly assist accident analysis and field performance evaluation. This additional source promotes more accurate understanding of crashes, which in turn advances vehicle safety research, and investigations. This paper analyzes the performance of Toyota's EDR, focusing on pre-crash data (vehicle speed, engine speed, brake switch status, and accelerator pedal position sensor #1 voltage) and certain other parameters (front seat belt buckle switch status, driver seat track position, right front occupant status, and gear shift position). The EDR pre-crash data was compared to the data on the High Speed Controller Area Network (HS-CAN) data during eleven test conditions.

Restraint system physical evidence is often examined during crash analysis to understand seat belt system use and effectiveness. As occupant restraint technologies have evolved over the years, the seat belt witness marks that occur in crashes have changed as well. Occupant loading has traditionally been the primary cause of marks on seat belt systems prior to pretensioners and force limiters. This research focused on newer seat belt systems equipped with force limiters and pretensioners, and how those features affect crash-induced witness marks. The front seat occupant seat belt systems studied contained both retractor pretensioners and retractor torsion-type force limiters. The crashes that were analyzed occurred on U.S. roadways where at least one airbag deployed. Distinct marks were located on the retractor, D-ring, latch plate or webbing surfaces resulting from the activation of pretensioners and/or force limiters.

Eight rollover research tests were conducted using the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder with a modified FMVSS 208 dolly rollover test method where the driver and right front dummy restraint performance was analyzed. The rollover tests were initiated with the vehicle horizontal, not at a roll angle. After the vehicle translated laterally for a short distance, a trip mechanism was introduced to overturn the vehicle. Retractor, buckle, and latch plate performance in addition to the overall seat belt performance was analyzed and evaluated in the rollover test series. Retractor pretensioners were activated near the rollover trip in three of the tests to provide research data on its effects. Various dummy sizes were utilized. The test series experienced incomplete data collection and a portion of the analog data was not obtained. National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) data was also analyzed to quantify the characteristics of real world rollovers and demonstrated the benefits of restraint use.

Rollover crashes have continued to be a source of extensive research into determining both vehicle performance, and occupant restraint capabilities. Prior research has utilized various test procedures, including the FMVSS 208 dolly fixture, as a basis for evaluating vehicle and restraint performance. This research, using 2001 Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicles (SUVs), was conducted to update the status of passenger vehicle rollover testing, and evaluate dynamic test repeatability with a new test procedure. A series of eight rollover tests was conducted using these SUV vehicles, mounted on a modified FMVSS 208 rollover dolly fixture, with instrumented dummies in both front seat positions. This test protocol involved launching the vehicles horizontally, after snubbing the dolly fixture, and having the leading-side tires contact curbing for a trip mechanism.