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 predominantly rely on research using male crash test dummies, potentially overlooking the safety needs of a broader group of motorists, particularly female drivers and passengers. This project aims to address this gap by investigating the suitability of the MASH impact safety requirements for a diverse range of motorists and recommending necessary adjustments.
The proposed research will evaluate the existing criteria to identify potential shortcomings in representing female drivers and passengers. By conducting thorough assessments and performance evaluations of highway safety standards, the project seeks to identify areas requiring adjustments to ensure the safety of all road users, especially females. The project’s significance lies in its potential to enhance highway safety measures by considering the specific needs and characteristics of female motorists.
Specifically, this proposal will (1) investigate the applicability of the current MASH impact safety requirements to female drivers and passengers, (2) identify potential shortcomings in the current criteria, (3) conduct preliminary computer simulations using both female and male dummies considering time and budget constraints, (4) provide recommendations for necessary adjustments, and (5) develop a future research plan to improve the inclusiveness and effectiveness of highway safety devices.
By focusing on these specific objectives, this project aims to significantly contribute to improving highway safety standards and creating a safer, and more inclusive transportation infrastructure for all road users."
Description "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 predominantly rely on research using male crash test dummies, potentially overlooking the safety needs of a broader group of motorists, particularly female drivers and passengers. This project aims to address this gap by investigating the suitability of the MASH impact safety requirements.
The proposed research will evaluate the existing criteria to identify potential shortcomings in representing female drivers and passengers. By conducting thorough assessments and performance evaluations of highway safety standards, the project seeks to identify areas requiring adjustments to ensure the safety of all road users, especially females. The project’s significance lies in its potential to enhance highway safety measures by considering the specific needs and characteristics of female motorists.
Specifically, this proposal will (1) investigate the applicability of the current MASH impact safety requirements to female drivers and passengers, (2) identify potential shortcomings in the current criteria, (3) conduct preliminary computer simulations using both female and male dummies considering time and budget constraints, (4) provide recommendations for necessary adjustments, and (5) develop a future research plan to improve the inclusiveness and effectiveness of highway safety devices. By focusing on these specific objectives, this project aims to significantly contribute to improving highway safety standards and creating a safer, and more inclusive transportation infrastructure for all road users."
Objective By addressing safety and equity in the context of more inclusive and effective highway safety standards, this research contributes to the overall vision of the USDOT Strategic Plan, which seeks to create a safe, efficient, and inclusive transportation system.
Impacts/Benefits The completion of this MATC project is anticipated to provide (1) an evaluation of the existing transportation safety requirements, (2) potential limitations and shortcomings of the current criteria, focusing on their applicability to female occupant characteristics under crash conditions, and (3) potential modifications that are necessary to enhance occupant safety measures. The project will produce a technical report summarizing the research efforts conducted in every phase. This research aims to promote collaboration between researchers, transportation agencies, and industry stakeholders. The proposed project has several significant broader impacts on both the transportation industry and society including (a) enhanced safety for all road users and improved regulatory standards, (b) gender equity in transportation and inclusive design practice; and (c) research and industry collaboration.