Design changes in 1974-1977 model year passenger cars have been identified and a preliminary evaluation has been made of the safety effects of design changes inspired by fuel economy requirements. The 1977 General Motors full-size cars and the Volkswagen Rabbit were found to be the only significant design change vehicles. These vehicles do not demonstrate significantly higher risks of fatality in accidents than do other vehicles of similar weight or roominess. Little change is observed in the aggregate characteristics of the 1974-1977 vehicle fleets, although the effects of the 1977 General Motors downsizing are observable. Methodologies have been implemented for the identification of vehicle design changes, for the calculation of observed fatality rates by make and model, and for the projection of future fatality and injury experience based on perceived trends in vehicle design and sales. There are a number of recommendations for further investigation of the effects of vehicle design on safety and for extension of the work to include 1978 and 1979 model year cars, light trucks and vans.
Effects of Recent Vehicle Design Changes on Safety Performance, Executive Summary
1979
7 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Road Transportation , Transportation Safety , Automobiles , Structural design , Fuel consumption , Motor vehicle accidents , Design , Automobile safety characteristics , Motor vehicles(1974 models) , Motor vehicles(1975 models) , Motor vehicles(1976 models) , Motor vehicles(1977 models) , Downsizing