I’m Vivian Abraham, a final-year MEng Product Design Engineering student at the University of Glasgow and the Glasgow School of Art. My project focuses on improving women’s safety in car accidents, specifically addressing neck injuries during frontal collisions. To achieve this, I am conducting experiments using ANSYS LS-Dyna and human body models to simulate crashes and measure the effectiveness of potential solutions.
As a young female driver passionate about the automotive industry, I was shocked to discover that I am at a significantly higher risk of injury or death in a car accident compared to my male friends and family. This disparity exists because current safety regulations are primarily designed around male bodies. While I may not be able to change the regulations governing crash testing, I can develop a product that helps close this safety gap between genders.
Women are 71% more likely to sustain injuries in a car accident than men and 17% more likely to die. This is because vehicle safety standards are based on the male 50th percentile, and regulations only require crash testing with male dummies.
Injuries That Contribute to Increased Mortality Risk:
| Body Region Injured | Estimated Risk Increase (%) |
|---|---|
| Head | 14.6 ± 3.1 |
| Chest | 8.8 ± 4.6 |
| Abdomen | 31.9 ± 8.3 |
| Neck | 39.4 ± 9.4 |
Women are particularly vulnerable to the following injuries, even when wearing seatbelts:
- Fractures of the first or second cervical vertebra
- Injuries to abdominal organs, especially the spleen, liver, and gallbladder
However, not all car manufacturers adhere only to the minimum safety requirements designed for men. Some are actively working to close this safety gap and make vehicles safer for everyone. For instance, Volvo’s E.V.A (Equal Vehicles for All) Initiative shares over 50 years of research on car accidents and safety with the public. This research has been invaluable to my master’s project, providing insights into the specific safety issues women face and helping me develop potential solutions to mitigate serious injuries.
From my initial research, I decided to focus on frontal collisions and injuries classified as AIS code 3 or higher. Neck and spine injuries from frontal crashes can be fatal because seatbelts are not designed for female anatomy. Similarly, the force exerted by seatbelts during a crash often leads to internal abdominal injuries and exacerbates damage to vital organs. This led me to consider a seatbelt redesign and re-evaluate how we are restrained in our seats.
Thanks to the RS Student Fund, I was able to purchase an integrated seatbelt car seat to analyze and deconstruct, helping me understand how force is distributed across the seat during a crash. This is particularly relevant to my project, as I am developing a 4-point harness system integrated into the car seat to improve safety. The knowledge gained from studying the purchased seat will also be used to build a final prototype, which I plan to showcase at the GSA degree show. Without the support of the RS Student Fund, I would not have had the opportunity to closely examine how car seats are manufactured and assembled, as well as the components that contribute to passenger safety.
I am currently in the prototyping and experimentation phase and will continue working on this project until the end of April. I know the RS Student Fund will keep playing a big role in helping me push my research forward.
The ultimate aim of my project is to make cars as safe for women as they are for men. There have been many challenges along the way, and I am aware that this is a difficult task to achieve, but any improvement is worth it. Likewise, raising awareness about this issue will encourage others to investigate and develop products that enhance women’s safety in cars. Over time, I hope that regulations will evolve to mandate these improvements, making them the new safety standards for car manufacturers.
If you’re passionate about a problem and have an idea that could make a difference, go for it. Even small changes can lead to something bigger, and you never know where your project might take you. Companies like RS might see its potential and help bring it to life.
A huge thank you to RS for believing in my project and supporting my mission to improve automotive safety for women.
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