A Numerical Investigation into HIC and Nij of Children for Forward and Rearward Facing Configurations in a Child Restraint System

This study explores the various differences in potential for injury in 3-year-old children in the case of a frontal collision. A crash analysis between forward and rearward facing children, both restrained in a five-point child restraint, was performed using numerical simulation methods. This comparison was carried out by conducting numerical simulations of these situations using the criteria outlined in FMVSS 213. The injuries that were assessed included neck and head injury, as those types of injuries can be the most devastating and sometimes fatal. In this study, it was determined that when the 3-year-old Hybrid III dummy model is in a rearward facing position, the child sustains less neck loads and head accelerations than the forward facing dummy model. In other words, a 3- year-old child would sustain lower levels of Neck Injury Criteria (Nij) and Head Injury Criteria (HIC). In fact, the difference in the Nij values is quite significant. In North America, the standard for restraining young children states that for a child under the age of 12 months, the child should be restrained in a child seat facing the rear of the vehicle. After 12 months of age, the child can then face forward. This study has opened the forum to debate if this standard should be reconsidered as to save the lives of thousands of children being injured and dying unnecessarily at the hands of vehicle collisions.