ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2019/26

128. The dynamic evaluations of seats in addressing minor neck injuries (Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale 1 – MAIS 1) that occur in low-speed rear impact crashes were conducted by insurance groups (i.e. International Insurance Whiplash Prevention Group (IIWPG), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Thatcham). The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) and the Korean New Car Assessment Program (KNCAP) introduced dynamic evaluations of seats in 2008; the Japanese New Car Assessment Programme (JNCAP) in 2009, and the China New Car Assessment Programme in 2012. However, the testing and evaluation methods varied from one programme to another. Additionally, the European Enhanced Vehicle-safety Committee (EEVC) Working Group 12 had investigated the appropriate dynamic test for addressing minor injuries in low-speed crashes. This included the test procedure, injury criteria and the associated corridors for the BioRID II dummy. 129. An in-depth review of a first set of data from the expert of the United States of America showed that while a number of AIS 2 and AIS 3 injuries occur in rear impact crashes at speeds greater than 18 km/h, most of the neck injuries (which are the focus of this UN GTR and which can be evaluated with a rear impact dummy) are AIS 1. AIS 1 injuries occur in approximately equal numbers below or above 18 km/h. Research from the expert of Japan showed similar results, with a significant number of long-term minor neck injuries occurring at 16–25 km/h (www.unece.org/trans/doc/2010/wp29grsp/GTR7-02-16e.pdf). 130. An evaluation of research by EEVC, "Recommendations for a Low-speed Rear Impact Sled Test Pulse", concluded that most long-term minor neck injuries (greater than one month) are sustained at speeds between 16 and 25 km/h (www.eevc.org/publicdocs/EEVC\_WG20\_Pulse\_Recommendations\_Sept\_2007.pdf). The expert from the United States of America evaluated several dummies in addressing long-term minor neck injuries and compared them to cadaver testing at 24 km/h. 131. Although previous research differentiated between "low speed" and " all the research was conducted at speeds which could be considered as "low speed" for short- term and long-term minor neck injuries. As a complement to speed tests, the IWG developed a comprehensive approach to determining the most appropriate test pulse(s) to mitigate minor neck injuries. This resulted in a level of injury benefit comparable to the requirements of UN GTR No. 7. IWG also identified options which provided additional benefits focusing on long-term injuries during the time frame of the work promoted*, schedule these could be but this work should not delay the principal task. 132. At the 153rd session of the World Forum, the representatives of Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America jointly submitted a proposal to amend the Terms of Reference (ToR) so that the dynamic evaluation method under study could focus on reducing injuries from low-speed rear impact crashes. The aim was to finalize the draft amendments to the UN GTR for recommendation at the 2012 December session of GRSP and for establishment at the June 2013 session of AC.3. The amendment proposal for ToR was approved. 133. At the 154th session of the World Forum, a delay was reported in the injury criteria work of the experts of Japan and the United States of America that would hinder the satisfactory conclusion of the work. In addition, the representative of the United States of America questioned whether the dummy drawing package and other specifications would not be better incorporated into a separate UN GTR. The development of a Mutual Resolution No. 1 (M.R.1) between the 1958 and 1998 Agreements was decided upon and submitted to WP.29 for discussion. 134. At the 157th session of the World Forum, the representative of the United Kingdom, on behalf of the Chair of the IWG, reported difficulties in finalising the work on replacing the Hybrid III with the BioRID II within the scheduled timeframe and, that the IWG would require a twelve-month extension of its mandate to deliver the injury criteria. AC.3 agreed to extend the mandate of the IWG until December 2013.