Attachment_J.3.pdf

Attachment 3, Test Procedures

C.6.1 – Pre- and Post-Test Static Measurements

Seating measurements listed in Brelin-Fornari et al. (2014), Attachment B, Tables B6-B7 and Figure B9 (pre-/post- test measurements) shall be obtained for each test. All measurements shall be taken with a Coordinate Measuring Machine (e.g. a FARO Arm). All linear measurements shall be in millimeters. See Attachment B, Table B7 and Figure B9 for additional anticipated measurements to be collected. NHTSA reserves the right to update these requirements with modified and/or additional measurements.

C.6.2 – Test Impact Angle and Speed

The Contractor shall measure the actual impact angle and speed compared to the desired target parameters as specified in section C.3.2.2.1 –Test Conditions. For each test, the test speed and angle shall be controlled as closely as possible. The Contractor shall measure the actual test speed and actual sled angle for each test. These measurements shall be included in the test report.

The COR will approve the test procedure used to obtain these measurements 48 hours prior to the test being conducted.

Tests shall be conducted using the door and armrest padding materials provided by VRTC. The armrest and door foam will be provided by VRTC. The COR will provide the test speed and armrest characteristics at least three (3) days before testing.

NHTSA reserves the right to make modifications to the test parameters and material specifications noted above.

Note: Prior to conducting sled test series, three (3) consecutively, repeatable test pulse trials shall be required to verify test speed. Information on these test pulse trials shall be made available to the COR.

C.6.3 – Deviations from NHTSA Test Procedures

The Contractor shall conduct testing only in accordance with NHTSA Test Procedures and shall notify the COR if any deviations from the NHTSA Test Procedure are required. Any problems or questions regarding the technical portion of this Purchase Order shall be referred to the COR.

The COR may require that minor deviations from the NHTSA Test Procedure be made as the COR deems necessary.

C.6.4 – Test Support

a. Project Status The Contractor shall participate in a bi-weekly status meeting with COR (which may include other Government staff). Any events or occurrences that may potentially cause a delay or yield unacceptable/erroneous data to the Purchase Order shall be reported promptly to the COR within twenty four (24) hours of discovery. This may require an impromptu/unscheduled meeting. Discussions of these issues shall not be held off until the scheduled bi-weekly meeting.

b. ATD All measurements shall be taken with a Coordinate Measuring Machine (i.e. FARO Arm).

All linear measurements shall be in millimeters. The Contractor shall inspect the child ATDs for loose joints, bent and/broken parts, particularly the Q3s, after every test. After each test the Contractor shall take the ATDs skin off and look at the ribs and chest pot for any damage. The Contractor shall report status of each ATD if any change or damage occurs to the ATD.

c. Sled The Contractor shall inspect camera and sled buck attachment mounts and any other critical attachments between tests. After each test, the Contractor shall inspect the cushions and confirm that the vinyl is not ripping/tearing. The seat cushion foam shall be allowed to “rest/recover” for a minimum of four (4) hours between tests. Having multiple sets (2-3) of seat cushion foam is recommended. After each test, the Contractor shall inspect all accelerometers on the sliding seat. The data from these accelerometers should be overlaid and/or compared to each other and to each test.

d. Instrumentation (Accelerometers and Load Cells) The Contractor shall record the location of the instrumentation as well as the output versus time into the event and include this information in the test report. All instrumentation (load cells and accelerometers) shall be confirmed and operable prior to testing.

e. Photos Instrumentation (Accelerometers and Load Cells) Photos shall be taken of any failures, anomalies, etc. Photos shall be taken in accordance with TP213-09. The COR reserves the right to include additional photographs so long as they are within scope and cost of this Purchase Order.

C.6.5 – Data Plots

Within two (2) hours of the sled test event, the Contractor shall make all test data available to the COR. Under no circumstances shall this data be furnished to non-NHTSA personnel. The Contractor shall analyze the preliminary test results as directed by the COR.

Plots of all data channels and tables showing the maximum value, minimum value, and times that these values occurred for each channel shall be included in the test report. The plot shall also indicate the Channel Filter Class (CFC) filter used.

C.6.6 - Reporting Data Anomalies

Within four (4) hours after each test, the Contractor shall review the data from each channel recorded. The Contractor shall note any anomalies in the data or the behavior of the instrumentation and shall report it to the COR. Anomalies include, but are not limited to:

1. A transducer that transmits no signal or stops transmitting during the test

2. A recorded signal in which the peak (at 1650 Hz) is greater than the capacity of the instrumentation

3. A recorded signal which contains more than one “spike” unexplainable by the physics of the impact

4. Bias errors

5. Zero drifts

If an anomaly is noted, no further tests shall be conducted until the Contractor has resolved the issue such that the quality of the data transmitted by the instrumentation and the procedure for the next test will not be impacted.

The Contractor shall insert a table in the test report on the applicable test data sheet which lists each noted anomaly, the channel number, the instrumentation involved and its location on the ATD or sled including mounting axis (if applicable) and the known or suspected cause of the problem. These anomalies shall also be noted in the introduction/summary section.

C.6.7 – Photo/Video Coverage

For photographic documentation (photos and film), the Contractor shall follow the procedures as specified in TP213-09. Placards and any other information that references the title of the test should include details as noted in sample ledger to be provided by VRTC.

Any digital high-speed video view having greater than 1500 mm in the horizontal plane shall be high resolution with a lens of 50 mm or longer. High resolution is defined as having a minimum of 1536 CMOS sensors per every two rows of pixels, with 80% of the horizontal distance of the two rows covered by effective light sensors. There shall be a minimum of 1024 rows of sensors.

Any digital high-speed video view having less than 1500 mm in the horizontal plane, shall be at least medium resolution, having a minimum actual pixel resolution of 512 x 512 and a lens of 25 mm or greater. Medium resolution is defined as having a minimum of 512 sensors per every row of pixels, with 80% of the horizontal distance of the row covered by effective light sensors.

Close-up digital video views are allowed with low resolution (less than 512 x 512) or medium resolution video cameras with any lens combination, if approved by the COR. These close-up digital cameras are typically reserved for visual observation and timing only, but not for film analysis purposes.