Evaluating Pedestrian Injury Risk in SUV Impacts Using a Validated Human Body and Vehicle Model

Authors: Ying Tao, Liying Zhang—Wayne State University

Abstract

Pedestrian fatalities have surged recently, with SUVs disproportionately causing severe injuries than sedans. This study aimed to enhance the biofidelity of the THUMS AM50 pedestrian model by validating it against recent cadaver-SUV impact tests and to explore how body orientation and gait influence injury outcomes. The THUMS model was improved to better match PMHS kinematics, particularly in the torso. Injury thresholds for bones and ligaments were updated to reflect age-related variations, improving prediction accuracy. Subsequent simulations with a validated SUV model revealed that body orientation significantly affects injury outcomes. Forward-facing and oblique orientations had the highest risk of knee ligament ruptures, while lateral impacts led to more pelvic and rib fractures. Gait stance had a lesser effect on injury severity, though lateral impacts showed larger deviations in head, sacrum, and knee trajectories. The study highlights the role of body orientation in determining injury severity and informing future pedestrian safety measures.

Type: Short Communication

© Stapp Association, 2024

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