1 DETERMINING SIDE IMPACT PRIORITIES USING REAL-WORLD CRASH DATA AND HARM B.N. Fildes 1 , H. C. Gabler 2 , M.Fitzharris 1 and A.P. Morris 1 1 Monash University Accident Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia 2 Rowan University, College of Engineering, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA ABSTRACT This paper describes a new approach to prioritising occupant protection interventions, based on the amount of real-world Harm they address. It was conducted to highlight priorities associated with systems modelling optimisation. However, it is also suitable for a wider application generally in targeting interventions aimed at maximising occupant protection improvements. It is especially useful for optimising vehicle design strategies but can also be used more strategically to help justify the need for new regulations, aimed at occupant protection improvement. KEYWORDS : Side Impacts, Harm, Models, Crashworthiness, Accident Data INTRODUCTION Optimising occupant protection in vehicle design requires decisions about priorities during the design process. Choosing interventions that will address relatively frequent injuries is critical for the process of maximising benefits to the occupants of vehicles in particular crash types, typically experienced by passenger cars in real-world crashes. The question is, on what basis should a manufacturer prioritise critical design features or interventions during this process? The Monash University Accident Research Centre is currently involved in research, aimed at optimising vehicle design for enhanced side impact protection. The process involves the development of a systems model for optimising protection based on identifying a minimum Harm outcome. A schematic view of the process is provided in Figure 1 below. Figure 1 Optimisation process for vehicle design (Fildes et al, 1998b)