AIRBAG INFORMATION

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

What they are...

     Air Bags were first introduced into American automobiles in the 1970's. Beginning with the 1999 models, driver and passenger-side air bags have been standard equipment on all new passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks sold in this country. Ongoing research, development and the application of restraint technologies are continually resulting in more sophisticated and reliable occupant protection systems. And the occupant restraints industry is currently working on new generations of the safety devices that are likely to be in vehicles in the not too distant future.

     Advanced occupant restraints are sophisticated systems that monitor and analyze such factors as the severity of a motor vehicle crash and precrash circumstances of both the vehicle and its occupants. This information provides input to onboard microprocessors which optimize restraint performance. Manufacturers and suppliers of occupant restraints are committing millions of dollars for extensive research and development to bring to American motorists advanced technology restraint systems that can increase protection for occupants involved in motor vehicle crashes.

These advanced restraints will:

1. Comply with future government regulations;
2. Reduce risk for children and out-of-position occupants;
3. Enhance protection for belted occupants; and
4. Provide added benefits to unbelted occupants.

ADVANCED RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

What they do...

     Crucial to advanced restraint systems are specialized electronic sensors that can tailor the system's performance in the event of a crash. Crash severity sensors can signal air bag inflators to deploy air bags at a level appropriate to the crash-more energetic for a severe crash, less so for a crash of moderate severity. Not all crashes need an airbag's full-force deployment.

That's not all, advanced sensors may also detect:

1. Presence of an occupant;
2. Occupant's weight, location, and restraint use. Based on all this information the bag's deployment output can be tailored to optimize crash protection.

     Adding to occupant safety will be the safety belt energy management devices such as belt pretensioners and belt load limiters. Together, these advanced air bag and seat belt will further enhance crash protection for belted and unbelted occupants.

ADVANCED RESTRAINTS

When will they arrive...

Depending on a vehicle's structure and/or crash response, each automobile manufacturer can enhance occupant protection by selecting from a menu of advanced restraint components.

A wide array of advanced technology devices and techniques is being developed by the occupant restraint industry that will be introduced into production motor vehicles.

These include:

* Multi-stage inflators
* Advanced occupant sensors
* Advanced crash severity sensors
* Passenger presence sensors
* Energy-absorbing seat belts
* Electronic seat belt switches
* Pretensioning seat belt

AORC and its members are preparing to meet federal government regulations that mandate advanced air bags be in some production vehicles by September 1,2002. Paramount will be the restraint system performance, reliability and durability. But most important will be the continuous improvement in motor vehicle safety on U.S. highways.