Seating Configuration

Impact Object

Head Injury

Type

Diagram

Dir

Object

Shape / Stiffness

Injury Mechanisms

Injury Type

Unidirectional

Fwd

Seat back upper

Flat / Moderate

Direct Impact – high accelerations

Brain diffuse injury concussion /

 Remote skull fracture

Seat upper grab handle

Blunt / Moderate

Direct Impact – Concentrated impact loads with high accelerations

Brain focal injury / depressed skull fracture /

Facial fractures and lacerations

Open Bay

Fwd

Seat front upper (cushion)

Flat / Low

Direct Impact – Mod accelerations

Brain diffuse injury / concussion /

Remote skull fracture

Fwd

Partition wall (on edge or grab pole)

Glass panel

Flat / High

(Blunt / high)

Direct Impact – concentrated impact loads with high accelerations

Brain diffuse injury with concussion /

Remote skull fracture

(Focal brain injury with depressed skull fracture)

Bay with table

Fwd

Upper surface of table

Flat  / High

Direct Impact – concentrated impact loads with high accelerations

Brain diffuse injury with concussion /

Remote skull fracture

Lateral

Fwd Rwd

Seat back upper

Flat / Mod

Direct Impact – concentrated impact loads with high accelerations

Brain diffuse injury with concussion /

Remote skull fracture

Partition wall

Glass panel

Flat / High

Direct Impact – concentrated impact loads with high accelerations

Brain diffuse injury with concussion /

Remote skull fracture

Exposed Seat

Fwd

Partition wall (on edge or grab pole)

Glass panel

Flat / High

(Blunt / high)

Direct Impact – concentrated impact loads with high accelerations

Brain diffuse injury with concussion /

Remote skull fracture

(Focal brain injury with depressed skull fracture)

Standing

Fwd

Partition wall glass panels

Flat / High

Direct Impact – concentrated impact loads with high accelerations

Brain diffuse injury with concussion /

Remote skull fracture

Fwd

Grab poles

Seat top and side edges

Grab Handles

Blunt / high

Direct Impact – Concentrated impact loads with high accelerations

Brain focal injury / depressed skull fracture /

Facial fractures and lacerations

Unidirectional

Bay Seating

High Backs

Rwd

Seat upper head cushion

Flat / Low

Acceleration loads via seat back

Diffuse brain injury with concussion

(very low risk)

Unidirectional

Bay Seating

Low Backs

Rwd

Partition wall glass panel

Flat / high

Direct Impact – concentrated impact loads with high accelerations

Brain diffuse injury with concussion /

Remote skull fracture

Rwd

No impact

Acceleration loads via necks

Diffuse brain injury with concussion

(very low risk)