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Biomechanical research
Human Impact Engineering is committed to advancing the state of knowledge on injury biomechanics and preventative measures through research projects designed to assist regulatory bodies and standards organisations.
 Child restraint in aircraftIn association with Britax Childcare (Australia) and Crashlab, and funded by the 2004/5 Australian Transport Safety Bureau Aviation Safety Research Grant, this project looked at the fit and function of automotive child restraint systems in aircraft, with the aim of advising the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on best practice for child aircraft passengers. |  Basilar skull fracture studyIn association with the University of Adelaide Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) and funded by the 2005/6 Australian Transport Safety Bureau Road Safety Research Grant, this project looks at the mechanisms of fatal head injuries to helmeted motorcyclists. The results of the study will be applied to improving the helmet test methodologies in the Australian Standard. |  Soft tissue neck injuryIn association with Autoliv, FORS, Holden, Newcastle University CSRU and the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, this project involved the investigation of motor vehicle crashes with known chronic neck pain outcomes, the development and validation of a simple cervical spine motion segment model using MADYMO, and the application of the model to a set of crash reconstructions. |
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 Protective VestsFunded by the Australian Harness Racing Council, this project aims to improve the protective vests used by drivers in harness racing in terms of impact protection and ergonomics. HIE's role is to investigate driver injury mechanisms and evaluate the applicability of current vest test standards. |  Safety in horse racingIn association with Dr John Saxon and Dr Caroline Foote, in a study on Health and Safety in Australian Racing, the aim of this project was to investigate the biomechanical causation of injuries to jockeys in race falls. The results of this investigation were used to evaluate the effectiveness of safety equipment used by jockeys, such as the protective helmets, vests and eyewear. The study investigated the effectiveness of the safety equipment and the applicability of standards. |  Far-Side Impact ProtectionIn association with Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC), Holden, George Washington University, Wisconsin Medical College and Autoliv, this project aims to develop an improved design methodology for safety systems in passenger vehicles to improve occupant protection in far-side impacts. HIE's role is in the development of injury assessment functions for use with the WorldSID side impact dummy in far-side impact testing. |
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