Three full scale crash tests and three everyday activity tests were performed to analyse and compare the reaction to human volunteer subjects in terms of head and chest accelerations.
There was a strong correlation between bullet vehicle closing speed and target vehicle speed change (delta-V) and a strong positive correlation between target vehicle delta-V and occupant movement which was in line with previous literature.
There was a strong positive correlation between target vehicle delta-V and the disparity between the acceleration of the chest and the acceleration of the head.
At lower speed changes the disparity was approximately zero and less than that produced by the action of sitting into a chair.
The results supported the proposition of a 3 mph delta-V threshold below which accelerations were similar to everyday activity.
The results supported the proposition of a “grey area” between 3 and 5 mph delta-V where the risk of injury is low but should not be entirely ruled out.
Sample size from full scale testing at delta-V’s of below 5 mph remains low and there is much scope for further investigation using low speed collision testing and other everyday events that are considered non-injurious.