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Automakers began addressing pedestrian accidents decades ago by focusing on the obvious vehicle features that could cause harm. Protruding hood ornaments, for example, were embedded in the grille or designed to collapse on impact, while exterior mirrors are now mounted on springs. Even a styling feature such as recessed door handles has helped reduce pedestrian injury.
In recent years, vehicle design has focused on making subtle changes to the front end of the vehicle that aren't obvious to consumers. One example is changing the way that the fenders, hood and windshield wipers are attached, so their performance strength is maintained but they can easily collapse when impacted by a pedestrian. Vehicles from Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo among others have these types of features.
Hood design and engine compartments have also received many subtle design changes. Today the vast majority of vehicles sold in the U.S. have braces supporting the hood that crush when they are impacted from above, such as by a person's head. In addition, a plastic engine cover serves to soften the impact, as does increased space between the hood and the cover. Beginning in 2001, Volvo, for example, decided it needed 3 inches of deformable space between the hood and engine in its new vehicles for pedestrian safety. As a result, when it came time to decide between two V8 engines for its XC90, one engine was ultimately rejected for the sole reason that it protruded into the company's 3 inches of required space. |
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