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Abstract
This anthropological study intends to describe first the morphological characteristics of 3 and 6 years old
children, and then to evaluate the safety belt position regarding the children seated in a car with different Child
Restraint System (CRS).
This work is based on a measurement survey which allowed to acquire anthropometric data in two approaches:
somatologic data, including dimensions in standing and sitting positions (14 measurements)
biometric data on the same subjects seated in a car with different restraint systems (15 measurements)
The survey was conducted in a school located in the northern part of France, after obtaining compulsory
authorizations from the relevant authorities. 71 children have been measured (33 three year-old and 38 six yearold). The car used for the survey is a Peugeot 308 and the backseat has been measured. The two CRSs which
have been used and measured are: a child seat (CRS1) which belongs to the European standard group 1 (children
weight between 9 to 18 kg) and a booster which belongs to the groups 2 and 3 (15 to 36 kg). Children of 3 years
old have been measured in the CRS1 and CRS2. Those of 6 years old have been measured in the CRS2 and
without CRS. Standard anthropometric tools have been used: height gauge, sliding calipers, tape measure, scales.
For each age, the main percentile values of all dimensions of the children morphology have been provided.
Several measurements of the belt position regarding morphological anatomical points of the child in the car with
the different Child Restraint Systems (CRSs) have been performed. This allows to check the suitability of the
belt regarding the morphology of the child in a restraint system.
The European mass classification appears as not relevant for 75% of the 3 year-old because they can be both in
CRS1 and CRS2 according to their weight. The 95th percentile of the 3 year-old appears to be out of the limit and
can only be in the booster seat. As for the 6 year-old, if all the children fit in the booster seat according to their
weight, children between the 5th and the 25th percentile could also be placed in a child seat.
This work has been performed within the European Project CASPER Child Advanced Safety Project for
European Roads co-funded by the EC under the 7th Framework Program (http://www.casper-project.eu).
Keywords: Measurement, Children, Anthropometry, Posture, Seatbelt
1. Introduction
European transport policy intends to reduce by half
the number of fatalities on the road, and considers
that approximately half of the 1200 children killed
on European roads could have been saved in 2007.
Moreover 80000 children are injured per year and it
is not acceptable for different aspects (ethical,
economic, etc). Safety issues concerning the
children involved in car accidents are in
consequence fundamental.
4. Discussion
Based on these measurements, several preliminary
results can be highlighted:
Results of childrens weight have to be confronted
with legislative standard groups. First, the European
mass classification appears as not relevant: 75% of
the 3 year-old can be both in CRS1 and CRS2
according to their weight, while its known that
children of this age are better protected in harness
systems than using a simple booster cushion both in
frontal and side impacts. The 95th percentile of the 3
year-old appears to be out of the limit and can only
be in the booster seat (see figure 5).