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 Air Belt Research Reports AT ASRI

Human Volunteer Testing an Air Belt

  This webpage provides a summary of the extensive research on Air Belts conducted by the US Government in the 1970's.  This research included crash tests with human volunteers, cadavers, and dummies in production and experimental cars equipped with air belts.

The research showed that Air Belts significantly reduced injury risk when compared to conventional 3 point belts.  Air Belts currently provide increased protection to the rear seat occupants of some vehicles manufactured by Ford.  Wider use of Air Belts would help reduce the higher injury risks suffered by women and elderly occupants who are involved in car crashes. 

  

Video Clip of Crash Tests of  Volvo Cars Equipped with Air Belts, Air Bags, and Advanced 3-point Belts  
Vehicle Integration and Evaluation of Advanced Restraint Systems, DOT HS 803 343, Fitzpatrick, M., Minicars, 1977.  
Inflatable Belt Development for Subcompact Car Passengers, DOT HS 801 719, Fitzpatrick, M., and Egbert, T., Minicars, September, 1975.  
Inflatable Belt Development for Subcompact Car Passengers, Executive Summary, DOT HS 801 720, Fitzpatrick, M., and Egbert, T., Minicars, September, 1975.  
Testing of Inflataband with Dummies and Volunteers, Vol. I, SwRI Report, Burkes, J., and Cromack, J., Southwest Research Institute, 1975.  
Testing of Inflataband with Dummies and Volunteers, Vol. II, DOT HS 801 739, Burkes, J., Cromack, J., and Ziperman, H.,   Southwest Research Institute, 1975.  
Sled Tests of Three-Point Systems Including Air Belt Restraints, Calspan Report ZP 5852 V 1, by Walsh, M., Calspan, 1976  
Vehicle Integration & Evaluation of Advanced Restraint Systems Vol I, Phase A, DOT HS 802 829, by Carr, R., and Aboud, G., Dynamic Science, October 1977.  
Vehicle Integration & Evaluation of Advanced Restraint Systems Vol II, Phase B, NHTSA HS 802 830, by Carr, R., and Aboud, G., Dynamic Science, October 1977.  
Vehicle Integration & Evaluation of Advanced Restraint Systems Vol III, Phase C, NHTSA HS 803 594, by Carr, R., and Aboud, G., Dynamic Science, December 1977.  
IBAHRS An Inflatable Restraint System For Helicopter Aircrewmembers. Navy NADC 82046 60, McElhenney, J., NavalAir Development Center, February 1982.  

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