Assessment of ATD Selection and Use for Dynamic Testing of Rear-Facing Child Restraint Systems for Larger Infants and Toddlers

Abstract

This report documents a test series that explored methods for using currently available child anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs/crash test dummies) to dynamically evaluate child restraint systems (CRS) for children more than 1 year old facing rearward in motor vehicles. These CRS are more typically rear-facing convertible seats but also can be infant-only rear-facing seats. The study evaluated five installation methods using the Hybrid III 3-year-old ATD and the CRABI 18- month-old ATD. Three child restraint system models were evaluated using the current FMVSS No. 213 test bench. None of the ATD conditions produced a systematic change in the dynamic response criteria evaluated by FMVSS No. 213, but some methods were easier to implement in the laboratory. The report documents each method and their potential advantages and disadvantages.