Ms Thesis: Understanding How Braking Behavior Influence Neck Injury Risk in Rear-end Crashes
A quick look here can save lives!
Problem Description
Emergency braking can cause vehicle occupants to shift out of their original seating position, increasing the distance between the head and the headrest, which significantly raises the risk of neck injuries in the event of a subsequent rear-end collision. With the growing adoption of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems, such scenarios may become more frequent, highlighting an urgent need for deeper investigation. Neck injuries not only pose serious health concerns but also lead to substantial long-term societal costs. However, the real-world impact of braking behavior on neck injury risk in rear-end crashes remains poorly understood.
Objectives
The objective of this study is to investigate how braking behavior affects risk of neck injuries in rear-end collisions. By analyzing real-world crash data, the study aims to uncover evidence and insights into the relationship between pre-crash braking dynamics and neck injury outcomes, contributing to a better understanding of injury mechanisms and informing future safety system designs.
Research questions:
- Does braking behavior increase the neck injury risk in rear crashes? What types of neck injuries?
- How does braking behavior influence the neck injury risk in this scenario?
- Do females have higher neck injury risk in this scenario?
By addressing these questions, this thesis aims to support the refinement of safety rating protocols and encourage the development of protective strategies that better reflect the realities and needs of modern traffic environments.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of statistics and data analysis with experience in Python, R, or MATLAB; prior understanding of traffic safety epidemiology is beneficial.
Number of students: 1-2
Information and contact:
Guorong Li, guorong.li@autoliv.com
Jordanka Kovaceva, jordanka.kovaceva@chalmers.se
Financial compensation from Autoliv will be awarded to the students.
- Function
- Engineering, Development & Research
- Locations
- Autoliv Research - Vårgårda - ADS
- Remote status
- Hybrid
Autoliv Research - Vårgårda - ADS
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About Autoliv Sweden
Autoliv is the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems. Through our group companies, we develop, manufacture and market protective systems, such as airbags, seatbelts, and steering wheels for all major automotive manufacturers in the world as well as mobility safety solutions.
At Autoliv, we challenge and redefine the standards of mobility safety to sustainably deliver leading solutions. In 2024, our products saved 37,000 lives and reduced 600,000 injuries.
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