Opinion ID: 446520
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Crash Energy Management

Text: 44 Crash energy management involves the absorption of collision energy by a vehicle's structural components, lessening the risk of injury to occupants. On the basis of the record evidence, NHTSA concluded that (1) the total contribution of 5.0 mph bumper systems to crash energy management in collisions at speeds likely to cause death or serious injury is small, (2) the difference between 5.0 mph and 2.5 mph systems is small, and (3) it may be that 5.0 mph systems are less protective as a theoretical matter. 47 Fed.Reg. 56,643. 45 The agency's analysis finds ample evidentiary support in the record. Automobile manufacturers submitted estimates of the bumper system's percentage contribution to total crash energy management in 30 mph barrier-impact tests. Those estimates were uniformly low (less than 5 percent for most commenters), and indicated little or no difference between 5.0 mph and 2.5 mph systems. FRIA at IV-4 to -5. Some manufacturers noted that the use of relatively rigid bumper energy absorbers, required to comply with the 5.0 mph standard, could adversely affect crash energy management, Comments of Volkswagen of America, Inc., Docket No. 73-19-N.27-058 at II (Nov. 25, 1981), J.A. 1722, and that in certain cases it may be possible to have a better optimized [sic ] and more controllable occupant protection system for high speed protection if one didn't have to take into account the requirements of low speed protection, Comments of Volvo of America Corp., Docket No. 73-19-N.27-078 at 3 [243 U.S.App.D.C. 131] (Nov. 30, 1981), J.A. 1655 (quoted in FRIA at IV-5 to -6). See also Comments of General Motors Corp., Docket No. 73-19-N.27-053 at A-5 (Nov. 25, 1981), J.A. 1773; Comments of Ford Motor Co., Docket No. 73-19-N.27-047 at 24 (Nov. 25, 1981), J.A. 1835. 46 Petitioners do not advance any data showing that there is better crash energy management with the 5.0 mph bumper system, but merely recite, without explanation, their own conclusion that strong bumpers help to absorb force in automobile crashes; they thereby contribute to crash energy management by reducing the violence of impact forces reaching the occupants of the vehicle. Brief for Insurance Company Petitioners at 10 (footnote omitted). This does not suffice to cast doubt upon the agency's judgment, based upon informed estimates from knowledgeable sources. Petitioner CFAS reiterates the argument, advanced by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in its petition for reconsideration, that NHTSA's crashworthiness conclusions were based on 30 mph tests, but many severe injuries occur in speeds as low as 10-15 mph. Brief for Petitioner CFAS at 19. NHTSA responded to this criticism, pointing out that it had considered the crash energy management issue at all speeds, notwithstanding the fact that certain of the illustrations cited by the agency involved 30 mph crashes, 47 Fed.Reg. 56,643, and explaining its reasoning in considerable detail. Id. NHTSA has more than adequately articulated its consideration of the relevant factors, and we will not substitute [our] judgment [on the issue] for that of the agency. Citizens to Preserve Overton Park, Inc. v. Volpe, 401 U.S. at 416, 91 S.Ct. at 824. 10