Innovative Approaches to Pedestrian Protection

Pedestrians face heightened risks of severe injury or fatality when involved in collisions with SUVs or pickup trucks, primarily due to the elevated hood designs characteristic of these vehicles. To address this, researchers from Toyota Motor Co.’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) and the University of Virginia are pioneering new methodologies to inform future vehicle design and enhance road safety.


The Role of Virtual Human Body Models

A cornerstone of this ongoing study is the integration of physical crash test dummies with virtual human body models. During a recent media briefing at Toyota’s North American R&D headquarters, experts highlighted the growing trend of virtual testing in the automotive industry.


The core technology being utilized is the Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS). Initially developed by Toyota in 2000, this software is now in its seventh iteration and has been accessible to the broader industry since 2022. THUMS allows engineers to simulate various human body types, sizes, and postures, providing deep insights into how different body geometries react during a collision.


«The value of the human body model is not just that it can predict injury, but it also helps explain the motion leading to that outcome,» said Zhaonon Sun, principal scientist at CSRC.

Data-Driven Geometry Analysis

The research team conducted an extensive analysis of 400 different truck and SUV profiles. By examining front-end geometries, they identified seven dominant design categories. Using these, they simulated approximately 100 variations of a standard pickup truck to observe how different impacts affect:

  • Lower extremity contact sequences
  • Upper body motion
  • Neck loading forces
  • Head impact locations

Beyond Pedestrians: Occupant Safety Research

Since 2011, the collaboration has extended its scope beyond pedestrian safety. Using THUMS, researchers have investigated occupant dynamics, particularly in unconventional seating positions common in automated or autonomous vehicles. Key findings include:

  • Lap Belt Dynamics: Research highlighted the sensitivity of belt interaction based on body composition, particularly subcutaneous fat around the pelvis.
  • Injury Differences: Studies discovered that female occupants often suffer higher rates of ankle injuries compared to males, as female tibias may fracture under lower force thresholds.

Collaboration for Future Standards

While virtual simulations have become highly sophisticated, they continue to complement physical crash test dummies, which are becoming increasingly customizable. Since its inception, the CSRC has invested nearly $115 million into over 120 safety projects. The center maintains a philosophy of transparency, sharing its findings with the public to foster industry-wide improvements.


Looking ahead, the CSRC has announced 10 new research initiatives focusing on driver behavior, advanced driver assistance systems, and connectivity. As Jason Hallman, senior manager at CSRC, noted, the ultimate goal is to translate these findings into actionable design standards and policy guidance that can improve safety for all road users.