Abstract The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) [1] provides guidelines for crash testing and evaluating highway safety features. However, these guidelines have predominantly been based on research using a male crash test dummy, resulting in a potential lack of inclusiveness and applicability to a broader group of motorists, specifically female drivers and passengers. This project aims to address this issue by investigating the suitability of the MASH impact safety requirements for a diverse range of motorists and recommending necessary adjustments and considerations. The proposed research will focus on evaluating the existing criteria and determining any potential shortcomings related to the representation of female drivers and passengers. By conducting thorough assessments and performance evaluations of highway safety standards, the project will seek to identify areas where adjustments may be necessary to ensure the safety of all road users, in particular females. The significance of this project lies in its potential to enhance highway safety measures by considering the specific needs and characteristics of female motorists. Specifically, this proposal will investigate the applicability of the current MASH impact safety requirements to female drivers and passengers, identify potential shortcomings, initiate preliminary computer simulations using female and male dummies considering the limitations of time and budget, provide recommendations for areas of adjustments, and provide future research plan to improve the inclusiveness and effectiveness of highway safety devices. By focusing on these specific objectives, this proposal aims to contribute significantly and meaningfully to improving highway safety standards and creating safer and more inclusive transportation infrastructure for all road users.
Description "A series of tasks must be completed to develop design concepts, as below.
Task 1: Review of Current Safety Criteria
The project will begin with a comprehensive review of the current safety criteria and practices followed in the design, development, and evaluation of roadside safety hardware. This review will encompass existing guidelines, standards, and regulations related to occupant safety measures.
Task 2: Identify Potential Shortcomings
In this task, potential shortcomings and limitations in the current MASH impact safety requirements concerning female occupants will be identified and thoroughly assessed. This critical evaluation will identify areas that may require adjustments to ensure better protection for this demographic.
Task 3: Analysis of Biomechanical Properties
The task will investigate the biomechanical properties and anthropometric variations between male and female drivers/passengers. This analysis will consider factors such as body size, sitting position, and proximity to the steering wheel, which influence occupant safety in the event of a crash. Also, the research team will obtain the freely available male and female dummies and initiate the validation of simulation (i.e., having the dummies seated and seat-belted during a crash).
Task 4: Evaluation of Occupant Safety Measures
The research will focus on key occupant safety measures of interest, including occupant impact velocity (OIV), occupant ridedown acceleration (ORA), and occupant compartment intrusion. The task will evaluate how these measures differ for male and female occupants.
Task 5: Identifying Potential Adjustments and Modifications
Based on the review, crash data analysis, and biomechanical assessments, the research will investigate potential adjustments and modifications to the existing safety criteria. This may involve considering different thresholds, design parameters, or additional safety features that can enhance occupant safety, specifically tailored to the needs of female drivers and passengers.
Task 6: Reporting and Project Deliverables
A technical summary report will be prepared. Research findings also will be disseminated through journal papers, conference papers, and presentations at national conferences."
Objective "The completion of this MATC project is anticipated to provide (1) a thorough evaluation of the existing transportation safety requirements, (2) a list of the limitations and potential shortcomings of the current criteria, focusing on their applicability to female occupant characteristics under crash conditions, and (3) potential adjustments and modifications that are necessary to enhance occupant safety measures. The project will produce a technical report summarizing the research methodology, data analysis, findings, and recommendations.
This research project will foster collaboration between researchers, transportation agencies, industry stakeholders, and other relevant parties. This collaboration will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, data, and best practices, promoting a collective effort to improve highway safety for all road users."
Impacts/Benefits "The proposed project has several significant broader impacts on both the transportation industry and society.
• Enhanced Safety for All Road Users and Improved Regulatory Standards: By addressing potential shortcomings in the existing safety criteria, this project contributes to improving the safety of all road users, including female drivers and passengers, and reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities in highway crashes.
• Gender Equity in Transportation and Inclusive Design Practice: The project helps promote gender equity in the transportation sector and can lead to more equitable and reliable transportation policies, guidelines, and infrastructure designs for diverse populations.
• Research and Industry Collaboration: This project encourages collaboration between researchers, transportation agencies, and industry stakeholders. By engaging in dialogue and sharing knowledge, the research can foster partnerships that promote the exchange of ideas, data, and best practices, ultimately leading to more informed decision-making and improved highway safety practices.
The proposed project has the potential to impact the transportation industry and society by enhancing the safety of all road users, promoting gender equality, encouraging inclusive design practices, influencing regulatory standards, and fostering collaboration between researchers and industry stakeholders. These broader impacts contribute to the development of a safer and more inclusive transportation system for everyone."