The small overlap or oblique crash test is a type of crash test that is designed to simulate a vehicle hitting a solid object such as a tree, utility pole, or another vehicle at an angle. In this type of crash test, the vehicle is propelled at a speed of 40 miles per hour and strikes a barrier that is only 25% of the vehicle's width, which is located at a slight angle. The test is intended to simulate the impact of a vehicle with a narrow object on the side of the vehicle.
The small overlap test is important because it simulates a real-world scenario that often occurs in accidents. In many cases, a vehicle may not hit a solid object head-on, but rather at an angle. This type of collision can be particularly dangerous because the energy from the impact is not evenly distributed throughout the vehicle, which can lead to serious injuries for the occupants.
The small overlap test is part of the crashworthiness standard that car manufacturers must pass in order to sell their vehicles in the United States. The test is conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS uses a more stringent version of the small overlap test, which is designed to replicate the impact of the vehicle hitting a solid object at a higher speed and at a more extreme angle.
Car manufacturers use a variety of techniques to improve the crashworthiness of their vehicles in small overlap or oblique crashes. These techniques may include strengthening the vehicle's structure in critical areas, improving the design of the front end of the vehicle to better absorb impact energy, and installing advanced safety features such as side airbags and safety belt pretensioners. By passing the small overlap test, car manufacturers can demonstrate that their vehicles are designed to protect occupants in a variety of real-world crash scenarios.
