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The necessity for avoiding the occupant ejection from their seats during motor coach rollover accidents is of supreme importance. The seat belt as a safety device is the best practical way of achieving this task. As per the motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2009 passed in the United States senate, requires new motorcoaches to be installed with safety belts for each seating position. This bill also suggests the possibility of retrofitting seat belts on the existing motorcoaches. The use of portable seatbelt to restraint occupant is more economical as compared to retrofit the seat belt. This fact motivates the further research on portable restraint device. This paper demonstrates the evaluation of the first version of the Portable Restraint Device (PRD) using full scale bus rollover test. This test identified the shortcoming of this current device in securing to the bus seat and its non user friendly design.

The conceptual design process pertaining to conventional passenger vehicle roof structures is described using axiomatic design principles. Current roof technology and performance, to include passenger vehicles and rally cars, are discussed and analyzed with an emphasis on occupant protection. Functional requirements for optimization are listed. An order of design is deduced from the first axiom to reduce the complexity of the design process. Independent design parameters for improving the crush resistance and rigidity of the structure are clearly linked to functions to record the design intent at each level.

The occupant retention performance of laminated and tempered side glazing during rollover collisions is analyzed. A brief history of automotive glazing is given, including a discussion of current technology. A summary of glazing failure mechanisms is provided, along with the results of impact and quasi-static pushout testing of undamaged commercial and prototype door windows. The investigation shows that supported laminated side glazing gives performance comparable to windshield glazing and can effect both primary and secondary containment of occupants. Results of documented unplanned rollover collisions and staged rollover tests are presented in support of the conclusions drawn.