Influence of deceleration profiles on occupant velocity differential and injury potential

This paper compares two hypothetical and identical vehicle deceleration pro files mirrored in time, one linearly descending with time and the other lin early ascending with time. The differences of such profiles on occupant vel ocity differential and by implication, injury levels at the point of occupa nt impact are presented. An indifference point is established to assist in comparing which occupant body part will benefit from the altered crash puls e. It is shown that for occupant proximity distances below the indifference point, an ascending profile results in lower injury risk. Above the indiff erence point, the result is reversed.