Playing It Safe

Playing It Safe

New offerings from Johnson Controls address passenger safety

In recent years, auto makers have placed a vigorous emphasis on crash protection, employing all sorts of technology—like side curtain airbags—to ensure that vehicle passengers are safe and secure when traveling to their destinations. Vehicles are well equipped to handle a variety of front and side collisions. But what happens if a car is rear-ended?
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, neck strains and sprains (whiplash) are the most serious injuries, reported in 30 to 40 percent of auto insurance claims. Such injuries cost at least $7 billion a year in the U.S alone.
The prevalence of whiplash injuries in low-speed, rear-impact crashes—and the high medical costs associated with such injuries—has prompted government safety agencies to mandate new anti-whiplash standards.
So, what will automakers do to comply with new government anti-whiplash standards—the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 202a (FMVSS 202a), taking effect on Sept. 1, 2008?
Rely on Johnson Controls, of course.
Johnson Controls has developed all-new seating and headrest systems to comply with new anti-whiplash standards and testing protocols that are emerging worldwide. And to better serve the varied needs of the world’s automobile companies, the company has developed four different anti-whiplash solutions: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Bronze

This rear-impact solution uses an expanded headrest that’s been repositioned closer to the occupant’s head in order to provide a static compliance solution for FMVSS 202a.

Silver

The Silver rear-impact solution offers improved levels of comfort. What’s more, in a rear-impact collision, forces are managed and absorbed in a systematic way by the seat foam, seatback and head restraint. This level of protection complies with FMVSS 202a dynamic test requirements.

Gold

The Gold solution uses riACT technology, which is an active, mechanical head restraint that is activated by body movement.

Platinum

This is an enhanced version of the riACT active restraint—one that’s electronically triggered. In this case, an electrical signal from vehicle crash sensors deploys the active headrest.

The impact

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Johnson Controls’ Silver rear-impact solution earned “acceptable” ratings on tests—only 27 percent of all seats tested have achieved acceptable ratings. Even better, the Gold solution earned “good” ratings, a performance level achieved by only 14 percent of seats tested.
Best yet, the Platinum solution is well-positioned to comply with the EuroNCAP 6-star rating, which is the most-stringent anti-whiplash standard.