Mr. Takahashi (JASIC) presented document GTR9-1-07 on the possible benefit of the introduction of the FlexPLI.

After finalization of the presentation the chair asked whether other gtr signatories would be able to also provide accident data related to pedestrian accidents and specifically focusing on lower limb injuries (tibia, femur and ligament injuries). The US promised to check whether they can perform a study on their accident statistics and provide the respective data.

Mr. Hand (UK) asked for clarification whether the estimated cost reductions are to be seen as absolute figures. Mr. Takahashi responded that the figures represent a potential reduction in pedestrian leg injuries with the application of the FlexPLI relative to the EEVC LFI.

In relation to US accident data this would mean an even higher benefit as stated in the presentation due to the fact that legform protection is currently not covered by US legislation for vehicle certification (to be discussed again at 2nd meeting). As shown by the distribution of AIS 2+ pedestrian lower limb injuries from a Japanese in-depth accident data, most of the injuries are leg fractures. The FlexPLI evaluates leg fractures at four locations along the entire leg while the EEVC LFI that evaluates leg fractures at one location just below the knee joint. So, most of the benefit should come from the enhancement of the leg fracture evaluation.

Mr. Bilkhu mentioned that knee injuries are more difficult to repair than tibia fractures in terms of long-term consequences as e.g. the lost work time and asked whether it would be possible to also extract the figures for knee injuries using different medical cost estimates between knee ligament failure and tibia fracture. Mr. Takahashi responded that the data were derived from Japanese insurance companies’ data and they are just average medical cost by AIS level. This investigation ignored the improvements in the assessment of knee ligament failure, although some improvements are expected due to the difference in the structure of the knee joint and the injury measures. This is because knee ligament failures account for only a small part of the lower limb injuries. Even if the difference in the medical cost is taken into account, most part of the benefit should still come from the reduction in tibia fractures. Even a very comprehensive study may or may not be able to split the medical cost for the knee joint appropriately.

The chair asked Mr. Takahashi whether further studies on the benefit are planned for the knee area. Mr. Takahashi responded that currently no such activities are planned in Japan.

However, the chair will also ask GRSP delegates at the 50th GRSP session for data on pedestrian accidents related to knee and leg injuries.

Finally, Mr. Takahashi promised to provide an updated version of the presentation since some slight corrections were found to be necessary (see doc. GTR9-1-07r1).