IIHS Testing
Crash Tests to IIHS Test Protocols
With so many vehicle models on the market, each being refined or refreshed each year, it is nearly impossible for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to test every model. Therefore, in order to provide the consumer with the most comprehensive data, IIHS leverages a process they referred to as “Test Verification.”
In the simplest terms, “Test Verification” is a process that allows OEMs to provide the Institute with crash test data from tests conducted at Calspan. The Institute utilizes this data to define the vehicle’s ratings. This crash test data can be from a variety of test modes including driver-side small overlap, passenger-side small overlap, moderate overlap, and side impact full vehicle crash tests. These tests are conducted by Calspan according to the Institute’s parameters and include high-speed video footage, intrusion measurements, and crash test dummy injury data.
Test Verification
Tests conducted at Calspan include the Moderate Overlap Frontal Test, Driver’s or Passenger's Side Small Overlap Test, Side Impact 1.0 or 2.0 and the Semi-Trailer Underride Test.
Additional Data
Calspan can conduct the Driver's or Passenger's Side IIHS Small Overlap crash test using a MESSRING high resolution load cell wall (Fx, Fy, Fz, My, Mz). Each load cell is 125 mm x 125 mm.
New Test Modes
Calspan conducts tests to the newest protocol under development, the IIHS 2.0 Side Impact with the 1,900 kg MDB with a suspension system, impacting the test vehicle at 60 km/h.
Development and Validation Tests
Vehicle manufacturers who do not have the internal capability or capacity to run IIHS tests seek out Calspan to run these additional tests for them. These tests are conducted at Calspan’s state-of-the-art crash lab that is located in Buffalo, N.Y. A lab that was recognized both in 2018 and 2019 by Automotive Testing Technology International as the “Crash Test Facility of the Year”.
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