For years, reducing the number of traffic-related fatalities and injuries has been a major problem throughout the world. Today, it has gained much more momentum in view of rapidly increasing SUV, van, and light-truck populations relative to the number of passenger cars, and due to significant improvements in technologies that facilitate a better understanding of the interaction dynamics among widely differing size vehicles. Unless disparities in crashworthiness among vehicles of different masses, sizes, and structural characteristics in mixed crash environments are successfully taken into account, the challenge toward improved vehicle safety will continue. This two-part compendium provides the most comprehensive information available on the entire spectrum of vehicle crash compatibility. The first part presents oral comments captured from the 2003 SAE World Congress panel discussion on compatibility. The panel of leading experts representing industry, academia, and government provides a rough framework and a broad range of views on current and emerging developments in compatibility research. The second part of this compendium features 44 best technical papers from SAE International and the International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles, published from the early 1970s through 2004. Readers will get a feel for the direction passenger car and heavy-vehicle manufacturers, research institutions, infrastructure suppliers, insurers, and governments are taking to reduce the number of traffic fatalities and injuries.

Governed by strict regulations and the intricate balance of complex interactions among variables, the application of mechanics to vehicle crashworthiness is not a simple task. It demands a solid understanding of the fundamentals, careful analysis, and practical knowledge of the tools and techniques of that analysis. Vehicle Crash Mechanics s

The volume will include selected and reviewed papers from CONAT - International Congress of Automotive and Transport Engineering to be held in Brasov, Romania, in October 2016. Authors are experts from research, industry and universities coming from 14 countries worldwide. The papers are covering the latest developments in automotive vehicles and environment, advanced transport systems and road traffic, heavy and special vehicles, new materials, manufacturing technologies and logistics, accident research and analysis and innovative solutions for automotive vehicles. The conference will be organized by SIAR (Society of Automotive Engineers from Romania) in cooperation with FISITA.

Even though a number of developed countries enjoy a high level of vehicle safety, more than 1.2 million fatalities still occur each year on roadways worldwide. There remains a need to continue improving vehicle and road safety. New technologies in sensors and electronic control units, and the growing knowledge of car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure technologies have led to a fusion of the previously separated areas of accident avoidance (popularly known as active safety) and mitigation of injuries (popularly known as passive safety) into the newer concept of integrated vehicle safety. This new approach represents a further step toward lowering accident rates. This book, written by two of the foremost automotive engineering safety experts, takes a unique and comprehensive approach to describing all areas of vehicle safety: accident avoidance, pre-crash, mitigation of injuries, and post-crash technologies, providing a solutions-based perspective of integrated vehicle safety. Also covered are accident investigation and worldwide legislation as they apply to integrated vehicle safety. The man-machine interface, biomechanics and development and simulation techniques are also key concepts that are thoroughly described. Special attention is given to driver assistance systems and to compatibility in car-to-car crashes and pedestrian protection. Chapters cover: accident research, functions of integrated safety, biomechanics and protection criteria, injury mitigation, adaptive occupant protection, compatibility, calculation and simulation, and the future. The book is useful for those interested in any aspect of automotive safety. Engineers and scientists from the automotive industry can learn new details as well as the broad perspective of vehicle safety today. The book also provides key information to traffic safety professionals, law enforcement, insurance practitioners, and journalists. Those who help shape traffic and vehicle legislation can gain a wider understanding of the topic to help them craft better laws. The book also serves as a valuable learning resource for academicians and students.

Examines the state-of-the-art in passenger car vehicle safety. Looks at both active and passive safety systems. Describes basic relationships and new developments related to accident avoidance (including man/machine interface) and mitigation of injuries. In addition to detail on accident avoidance, occupant protection and biomechanics, the book features thorough discussion of the interrelationships among the occupant, the vehicle and the restraint system (in frontal, lateral, rear impacts and rollover). Other subjects covered include safety legislation, vehicle body and interior design, accident simulation tests, pedestrian protection and compatibility.

The volume includes selected and reviewed papers from the European Automotive Congress held in Bucharest, Romania, in November 2015. Authors are experts from research, industry and universities coming from 14 countries worldwide. The papers are covering the latest developments in fuel economy and environment, automotive safety and comfort, automotive reliability and maintenance, new materials and technologies, traffic and road transport systems, advanced engineering methods and tools, as well as advanced powertrains and hybrid and electric drives.