Anthropomorphic Test Dummy; Occupant Crash Protection

This document amends 49 CFR Part 572 by adding design and performance specifications for a new dummy whose height and weight are representative of a fifth percentile female adult. This new dummy, which is part of the family of Hybrid III test dummies, can be used to accurately assess the potential for injuries to small-statured adults and teenagers. The new dummy is especially needed both to ensure that air bags protect small-statured adults and teenagers in frontal crashes and to minimize the risk of injury from air bags during those crashes. The dummy will also provide a means of gathering useful information in a variety of crash environments to better evaluate vehicle safety. Adding the dummy to Part 572 is the first step toward using the dummy to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of air bags for small- statured adults and teenagers. The issue of amending various safety standards to specify use of the dummy in determining compliance with the performance requirements of those standards, e.g., the agency's occupant protection standard, will be addressed in other rulemakings, particularly the agency's advanced air bag rulemaking for which a notice of proposed rulemaking was published in September 1998 and a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking was published in November 1999.