The meeting will review progress on the dashboard, finalize the HBM board with lower extremities remaining, prepare the board for the TF-4 workshop, and discuss next steps.

The agenda includes a report from Euro NCAP Workshop on Seat Performance Criteria for EvaRID, and discussion of sub-optimization prevention and the role of dynamic testing.

Draft minutes of the 6th meeting of the EqOP Task Force 4 on 7 September 2026 with 33 participants. A technical expert from TUG presented findings on abdominal injuries, showing approximately 9% of injured occupants sustain such injuries, often among the most important alongside thorax, head, and upper extremity injuries, with sex- and age-related differences noted particularly among older female occupants. The group reviewed the progress dashboard, discussed the definition of robustness for the Japan Workshop in November 2026, and deferred the priority table and reading list to the next meeting scheduled for 21 October 2026.

This document presents an analysis of abdominal injuries in frontal crashes using data from CEDATU, the Central Database for In-Depth Accident Study in Austria. The study examined 1,348 cases with 2,570 occupants from accidents between 2003 and 2025, excluding vulnerable road users and crashes with more than two participants. Results show 9.3% of occupants sustained abdominal injuries, with frontal impacts accounting for 62.8% of cases. Liver and spleen injuries were most common, representing 33.8% and 31.9% respectively. Females sustained abdominal injuries more frequently with increasing age compared to males.

This document is background material for the IWG EqOP workshop on equity issues in frontal crashes relevant for restraint systems scheduled for November 2026 in Tokyo. The workshop aims to draft conceptual ideas for a procedure to assess robustness by complementing current specific requirements based on ATDs using a more holistic approach. Robustness is defined as the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants of variation in body height, weight, shape, and seating position in real-world relevant collisions by maintaining structural integrity and effective safety systems. The reading list addresses field data, real-world needs, characteristics of frontal collisions, current regulations including UN R16, UN R94, UN R137, human body model readiness, injury prediction strategies, and regulatory solutions including Euro NCAP approaches, informed by GRSP-78-07.

The workshop on frontal impact assessment in Tokyo, 4-6 November 2026, will address robustness, defined as the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants of varying body height, weight, shape, and seating position in real-world relevant collisions by maintaining structural integrity and effective safety systems so that the risk of injury is minimized for all types of people. The agenda includes review of relevant regulations, clarification of roles of ATDs and HBMs, and conceptual ideas for future regulatory upgrades addressing brain injury, soft tissue neck injury, lower leg injury, thorax injury, submarining, abdominal loading, and lower severity collisions. The workshop will develop an HBM-based robustness assessment matrix to complement current ATD-based requirements.

This document provides background material for an IWG EqOP workshop scheduled for November 2026 in Tokyo to draft conceptual ideas for assessing robustness of vehicles in frontal crashes using a holistic approach complementing current ATD-based requirements. The workshop aims to protect occupants of varying body height, weight, shape, and seating position by maintaining structural integrity and effective safety systems. Two sessions are planned: identifying issues needing solutions through field data and EqOP priorities from GRSP-78-07, and reviewing regulatory solutions including current regulations R16, R94, and R137, with consideration of ATD and HBM roles.

The 2nd Workshop of the Task Force on Virtual Crash Testing is scheduled for September 7, 2026, from 10:00–16:00 CET in Room W 401, Professor-Huber-Platz 02. The agenda includes welcome and workshop objectives, approval of the agenda, context setting on EqOP and the role of TF3, review of ATD limitations and HBM potential, discussion of HBM readiness for EqOP applications, connecting EqOP priorities with ATD limitations and HBM readiness, HBM landscape assessment, and summary of conclusions and next steps.

The EqOP Task Force 2 met online on 29-30 June 2026 to discuss whiplash protection in vehicle seats. Presentations covered whiplash injury mechanisms, UN R17 evaluation, C-NCAP 2027 virtual testing plans, EvaRID and BioRID dummy comparisons, IIHS Rear Impact 2.0 protocol development, parametric seat modelling, and validation of a female SET 50F FE model. Discussions concluded that regulations should avoid sub-optimization toward single criteria, dynamic testing better represents real-world conditions, head-restraint positioning should not be considered misuse, and more forgiving seat designs are needed. The next meeting is scheduled for 28 September 2026.

Whiplash remains a major concern following rear-end collisions, which account for 27.8% of passenger vehicle crashes. Females face greater risk of long-term cervical spine injury than males. Females have less muscle strength, more slender necks, and lower tolerance limits for lower neck shear force compared to males. Only one rear impact dummy size, the 50th percentile male, is currently available. Dynamic testing reveals differences in responses between 50th percentile female and male dummies. Whiplash mitigation requires reducing occupant acceleration, minimising relative movements between vertebrae, and minimising forward rebound. The seat must be considered as a system; focusing on one component alone is inadequate. Preparation for a future 50th percentile female rear impact dummy is recommended, with new injury thresholds established.

Elemance, founded in 2014, distributes, maintains, and supports the GHBMC family of human body models for crash simulations. The Global Human Body Models Consortium consolidates worldwide HBM research and development into a single global effort to develop and maintain high-fidelity finite-element human body models. Elemance provides four occupant sizes in simplified and detailed versions, extensively validated through 250+ peer-reviewed publications and 100+ validation simulations. The models are widely adopted across 133 academic licenses and 41 commercial licenses, and have achieved Euro NCAP certification for occupant and pedestrian models.

The 15th EqOP Virtual Crash Testing Task Force meeting was held online on 9 July 2026 with 29 participants. An agenda item on Elemance and GHBMC was added and approved. A survey to HBM developers, structured on the MIRA board, was approximately 70% complete; results will be finalized and distributed. The group continued discussions on MIRA board readiness over different time horizons, incorporating survey input. Follow-up discussions are scheduled for 7 September 2026 in Munich and 30 September 2026.

The 14th EqOP Task Force Virtual Crash Testing meeting was held online on 13 April 2026 with 34 participants. France presented a proposal for an amendment to Resolution 3 to promote a transversal approach facilitating introduction of Virtual Testing as an optional alternative to physical tests in relevant regulations, with a workshop scheduled for 7 May 2026. A survey sent to HBM developers received 5 responses, which TU Graz anonymized into a table. The group proposed splitting implementation information into technical implementation of a metric into HBM and methods to use metrics for assessment of vehicles. The next meeting is scheduled for 11 June 2026.

The agenda for the 14th session of Task Force Virtual Crash Testing covers approval of agenda and minutes, review of a progress dashboard, and a proposal for virtual testing introduced by France. Discussion items include assessment of Human Model readiness at various timeframes and feedback from HBM4VT network stakeholders. The session concludes with next steps and scheduling.

Workshop on frontal impact scheduled for Tokyo, Japan, 4-6 November 2026 will assess robustness, defined as the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants across variations in body height, weight, shape, and seating position in real-world collisions by maintaining structural integrity and effective safety systems. The workshop will explore conceptual ideas for procedures to assess robustness by complementing current specific requirements based on ATDs using a more holistic approach. Sessions will address issues requiring solution and regulatory solutions, including review of relevant regulations, clarification of roles of ATDs and HBMs, and conceptual ideas of future regulatory upgrades addressing brain injury, soft tissue neck injury, lower leg injury, thorax injury, submarining, abdominal loading injury, and lower severity collisions.

The EqOP-TF4 held its 5th meeting on June 25, 2026, with 41 participants. The agenda was adopted with one item removed, and previous minutes were approved. The chair presented an updated priority table assessing injury relevance, regulatory gaps, test capabilities, and potential safety benefits for prioritizing future frontal impact safety requirements. Japan will report on submarining and female injury patterns. A workshop is scheduled for November 4–6, 2026, in Japan. The next meeting is September 7, 2026.

Proposed prioritization framework for future frontal impact safety enhancements. A holistic assessment tool to evaluate candidate topics, identify regulatory gaps, and define priorities for future frontal impact requirements. Draft table template includes topics such as soft tissue neck, chest, abdomen, foot and ankle, hand and arm, submarining, rear seat row, driver seat, front passenger seat, low speed, robustness, multi-scenario testing, and virtual testing with human body model. The framework considers equity issues, relevance, current UN Regulations, available test and criteria, and identifies volunteers to prepare topics.

The agenda includes a progress-dashboard review, an updated study presentation on rear row and abdominal injuries, and preparation for a Japan Workshop in Tokyo in November 2026, covering priority table alignment, robustness definition and alignment, workshop agenda, pre-workshop preparation, and practical arrangements.

The agenda for the 15th session of Task Force Virtual Crash Testing includes a review of the progress dashboard, summary of feedback from HBM developers based on the survey, continuation of discussion on assessment of readiness of the HBM in 3, 5, 10, and 10+ years, discussion on possible workshop before IRCOBI conference in September, and next steps and next meeting.

The Equitable Occupant Protection Task Force 4 met to discuss frontal impact and restraints requirements. An initial prioritization table was tabled in November 2025 and discussed in January 2026, with experts indicating low, medium, or high priority for topics including submarining, abdominal injuries, crash speeds, and seat positions. A proposed updated prioritization table was presented to consider the whole picture when defining future requirements. Current frontal crash performance requirements are mainly defined in UN R94 and UN R137, with specific seatbelt requirements in UN R14 and UN R16. An in-person workshop is scheduled for Tokyo, November 4–6, 2026, to assess robustness and close equity issues. The next meeting is September 7, 2026.

The University of Virginia Center for Applied Biomechanics conducted a parametric modeling study of seat performance in rear impact for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety using OpenVT seat geometry, foam, and structure characteristics spanning real seats. Simulations compared BioRID and EvaRID dummy responses across multiple crash pulses. Some kinematic measures correlated between dummies, while most kinetic measures did not. EvaRID showed greater sensitivity to seatback foam stiffness and pre-crash braking effects than BioRID, with pre-pretensioner reducing several outcome measures.

IIHS is implementing virtual testing for whiplash prevention in rear-impact evaluation. A draft test protocol allowing ATD simulation submission was published in June 2025, with rating guidelines and auditing procedures following in December 2025. The evaluation uses metrics including head contact time, maximum NKM, upper neck tension, T1 x acceleration, and pelvis displacement at both 16 km/h and 24 km/h crash pulses. Small SUV ratings began in January 2026. Whiplash prevention with simulation option will be included in IIHS Top Safety Pick awards by February 2028. Future development includes human body model workflows and validation procedures.

A finite element model of the average female crash test dummy SET 50F v0.2 for low severity rear impact safety was developed through further tuning and evaluation of the FE SET 1.0.0 model to the FE SET 50F 2.0.0 model. Development included re-meshing of foam, fine tuning weights of body parts, drop tests on abdomen and torso foam, and static spine bending tests of thoracic-lumbar and cervical regions. The FE SET 50F 2.0.0 open-source model is available on the OpenVT platform.

EuroNCAP conducted whiplash tests using EVARID, a prototype dummy representing a 50%ile female based on BioRID II, on 2024 and 2025 seats with mid and high severity pulses. EVARID showed earlier head restraint contact time but shorter duration, higher NIC values in several cases, higher neck forces Fx and Fz, and higher pelvis and lumbar accelerations compared to BioRID II, indicating different dummy behavior. Next steps include repeatability and reproducibility testing, additional seat testing, evaluation of assessment criteria, and dummy certification.

Document discusses virtual testing research on rear impact occupant protection. CIDAS data from 132 rear-end collision cases involving 287 occupants shows female occupants comprise 34.15% of rear-impact cases, significantly higher than 21.25% across all accident types. Female passengers predominantly occupy rear seats at 46.95%. C-NCAP 2027 introduces whiplash virtual testing using EvaRID dummy for second-row seats alongside BioRID II for driver seats, with EvaRID injury limits 20% lower than BioRID II. Research includes dummy positioning adjustments and repeatability studies using ISO/TS 18571 evaluation methods.

Simulation of UN R17 whiplash protection component tests and rear impact sled tests using finite element models of a Toyota Auris seat showed the UN R17 test protocol is not robust. A modified seat model approved in component tests (displacement, strength, energy dissipation) but failed the dynamic performance test. Component tests allow large variation in seat properties and do not ensure approval of the dynamic performance test. Seat properties with large effects on whiplash protection in dynamic performance tests can vary substantially with minimal effects in component tests.

Whiplash injury causes neck pain, stiffness, headache, shoulder pain, and neurological symptoms, with women more sensitive than men. Symptoms occur consistently across rear, frontal, and lateral impacts. Research focuses on nerve injury in spinal ganglia as the injury site, as this explains why long term whiplash symptoms include neurological symptoms independent of crash direction. The Neck Injury Criterion (NIC) measures injury using the formula NIC = 0.2Δa + Δv², where Δa is acceleration difference and Δv is velocity difference. Whiplash motion causes rapid volume changes inside the vertebral canal, with epidural blood volume pumped to compensate. Animal experiments using pressure sensors show pressure changes in skull and spine at different vertebral levels during whiplash events.

Field data shows reduction in risk for both males and females, though risk difference between males and females remains with higher risk for females regarding soft tissue neck injuries. Purely geometry-based assessment may not be sufficient; minimizing relative spine movements, forward rebound, evenness and energy absorption are important for equitable protection against whiplash. Discussion concluded that headrests often remain in highest position and do not protect occupants of lower stature optimally, which should not be considered misuse. A forgiving design of backrest and headrest should be targeted. Important to avoid suboptimization and assess more than one single point.

The IWG EqOP held its 16th meeting on May 18, 2026, with 40 online participants from Contracting Parties and Industry. The agenda and minutes of the 15th meeting were approved. Three Task Forces—Rear-end assessment, Virtual crash testing, and Frontal impact and restraint systems—are operational with meetings planned in June 2026. A preliminary report to GRSP 79th session was presented and revised. Upcoming meetings include TF3 on June 11, TF4 on June 25, and TF2 on June 29-30. Each Task Force is invited to structure identified topics by prioritizing them and assigning short, medium, and long-term horizons, and to map contributions within the Task Force.

The agenda includes a workshop with two sessions addressing whether UNR17 dynamic testing should be mandatory and updates on ongoing research including CNCAP, Euro NCAP, EvaRID, BioRID, parametric study, and SET, discussion of a potential in-real-life workshop in October at BASt, and determination of the next meeting date.

The Equitable Occupant Protection informal working group pursues equitable and enhanced protection of diverse populations through robust, inclusive regulatory solutions addressing rear-end impact soft tissue neck injuries and frontal impact restraint systems. The group extends assessment towards brain injuries, soft tissue neck injuries, and lower extremity injuries with high frequency and risk of permanent medical impairment. Four task forces focus on rear impact seat assessment, virtual crash testing, frontal impact and restraint system requirements, and assessment of currently not considered injury types. Workshops are scheduled for June 29-30 on rear impact assessment, September 7 in Munich on virtual crash testing, and November 4-6 in Tokyo on frontal impact.

The Equitable Occupant Protection Informal Working Group to GRSP pursues equitable and enhanced protection of a diverse population through robust regulatory solutions addressing rear-end and frontal impacts. Strategic goals include reducing injury risk for restraint systems, assessing currently not considered injury types with high frequency and risk of Permanent Musculoskeletal Impairment, and avoiding bias in protection. The group established task forces on rear impact seat assessment focusing on soft tissue neck injuries, virtual crash testing, frontal impact and restraint system requirements, and extension of assessment towards currently not considered injury types. Upcoming workshops are scheduled for June online, September in Munich, and November in Tokyo. Next steps include prioritization and categorization of identified topics into short-term, mid-term, and long-term timeframes within respective task forces.

The draft agenda for the 5th meeting of Task Force 4 Frontal Impact & Restraint System Requirements is scheduled for June 25, 2026, online from 12.00 to 14.00 CET. The meeting will cover approval of the agenda and previous minutes, review of the progress dashboard, presentations of updated studies on abdominal injuries and rear row, continued discussion on priorities, a workshop in Japan, conclusions, next steps, the next meeting, and any other business.

The EqOP-TF4 held its 4th meeting on 14 April 2026 with 28 participants. BASt presented an updated GIDAS analysis of abdominal injuries in belted occupants with single major impacts. The Swedish Transport Agency presented an updated study on occupant abdominal trauma including pelvic fractures and injury severity by age and seatbelt effects. OICA presented French collision data from 2012 to 2024 showing rear seats are significantly less utilized and the front row represents 96% of fatalities and most serious injuries in M₁ passenger cars. The Chair and secretary will compile input on priorities. The next meeting is scheduled for 25 June 2026, with an in-person workshop planned for 4–6 November 2026 in Japan.

From 2006 to 2025, Swedish emergency hospitals treated 170,995 injured drivers and passengers in passenger cars (52% men, 48% women). Pelvic fractures occurred in 1,198 individuals (0.7%), with 78% having one fracture and 22% having multiple fractures. The proportion of pelvic fractures increased with age and when seat belts were not used. Drivers comprised 71% of injured, front passengers 14%, and rear passengers 8%.

The task force on rear impact assessment plans an online workshop June 29-30 from 1200-1600 CEST and an in-person workshop in conjunction with IRCOBI in September or later, possibly October at BASt. Topics include whether quasi-static testing in UN R17 is adequate. Presentations will cover evaluation of UN R17 whiplash protection tests using simulations, evaluation and development of regulations for whiplash protection in vehicle seats, injury criteria and biomechanical injury mechanisms, finite element models of the female Anthropomorphic Test Device, and future plans for Euro NCAP. Additional topics include rear row testing, low-speed impact testing, and improvement of certification processes for EvaRID and BioRID.

The tenth meeting of the Equitable Occupant Protection Task Force 2 on rear-end impact was held online on March 31, 2026, with 25 participants. The agenda was adopted and previous minutes were approved. The planned in-person workshop in Sweden was cancelled. An online workshop was agreed to be held June 29-30, 1200-1600 CEST both days, with an in-person workshop planned after summer.

The 15th meeting of the UN GRSP IWG Equitable Occupant Protection was held on March 24, 2026, with 35 online participants. The agenda and minutes of the 14th meeting were approved. Two informal documents, GRSP-78-07 and GRSP-78-08, were presented to GRSP 78 and discussed. Three operational Task Forces on rear-end assessment, virtual crash testing, and frontal impact and restraint systems were reviewed. Each Task Force is invited to structure identified topics by prioritizing them and assigning a short, medium, or long-term horizon, and to map contributions within the Task Force clarifying roles and areas of expertise. The 16th IWG online meeting is scheduled for May 18, 10–12 CEST.

The IWG chair reviewed the 15th meeting to address strategic goals of equitable and overall enhanced protection of diverse populations in rear-end and frontal impacts, based on feedback from GRSP-78-07 and GRSP-78-08. Task forces are investigating submarining prevention, abdominal injury risks, Diffuse Axonal Injuries, lower extremity injuries, and neck injuries in frontal crashes, while considering occupants of different sizes, weights, shapes, and seat adjustments. Priorities include developing broader protection procedures over a range of scenarios and speeds rather than specific repeated requirements, with next steps involving prioritization and role definition within task forces before reporting to GRSP 79.

The informal working group on Equitable Occupant Protection will hold its 16th meeting on 18 May 2026 from 10.00 to 12.00 CET via TEAMS. The preliminary agenda includes adoption of the agenda, approval of minutes from the 15th meeting, review of the Progress Dashboard, status review of task forces, a report to GRSP 79th session, discussion of upcoming meetings and workshops, and conclusion.

This accidentology study analyzed French national accident data from 2015–2024 for M₁ vehicles involved in frontal collisions. Overall occupancy rate was 1.4 persons per vehicle, with rear rows accounting for 11% of occupants. Rear right seats were most occupied (46%), followed by rear left (40%) and rear centre (12%). Fatalities occurred in 96% of front row occupants versus 4% in rear rows. Rear row occupants showed consistently lower severity outcomes across all injury categories compared to front row occupants, with no significant differences observed before or after 2020.

GIDAS data analysis examined abdominal injuries in car crashes from 2005–2025. Case selection included passenger cars registered 2005–2025, occupants over 11 years old, belted, with at least AIS 1 in AIS15REG5. The study analyzed 234 cars with 248 occupants sustaining abdominal injuries. Frontal impacts accounted for 71%, rear impacts 12%, left side impacts 10%, and right side impacts 8% of cases. Analysis examined injury distribution across AIS levels, gender, age, height, weight, delta V, seating position, and specific abdominal injuries.

Two presentations were delivered to the task force: one on abdominal injury assessment using human body models in frontal sled simulations, examining seatbelt trauma and submarining effects; and another proposing a real-world frontal crash assessment matrix based on field data, advocating for morphed human body models to represent diverse occupant sizes and ages. Continued discussion on priorities and workshop planning were postponed to the next meeting on April 14, 2026.

The task force discussed assessment of Human Body Model (HBM) readiness timelines, adding skull fractures, lumbar spine, and general kinematics to evaluation criteria. The group identified injury metrics and data gaps for each body region. TU Graz will gather additional stakeholder feedback. The next meeting is scheduled for 13 April 2026.

The agenda of the 4th meeting of Task Force 4 Frontal Impact & Restraint System Requirements includes a review of the progress dashboard, presentations of updated studies on abdominal injuries and rear row, continued discussion on priorities, and planning for a workshop in Japan.