Improvement of Highway Safety Through Optimal Vehicle Design: Fault-Tree and Multi-Objective Analysis

本研究利用现有数据库调查车辆设计、碰撞特性、基础设施和驾驶员属性之间的关系；基于故障树分析的事故因果系统结构在考虑燃油经济性、成本和便利性约束的情况下，优化车辆设计标准，使伤害和死亡风险最小化。该研究将使用定量风险分析工具和方法对事故原因和碰撞管理知识进行结构化和分类，并允许识别妨碍更全面地了解复杂公路运输系统的知识差距。本研究所建立的决策模型将有助于汽车工业在资源约束下及时、以市场为中心并具有成本效益地选择最优的避碰措施。该决策框架的几个特点包括：在优化设计过程中考虑了多个相互冲突和不可通约的目标；允许对多种伤害程度和不同消费者群体进行影响分析；以及复杂系统相互作用的识别。为了实现既定目标，将使用两种专业知识来源：来自学术研究的最新开发和/或增强的工程设计方法，包括故障树分析、多目标和权衡分析，以及最佳资源分配。工业研究将有助于理解生物力学对各种吸能材料物理特性的反应。

This research investigates the relationship between vehicle design, crash characteristics, infrastructure, and driver attributes using current databases; the structure of the accident causation-consequence system via fault-tree analysis; and optimization of vehicle design criteria to minimize the risk of injury and fatality when constraints on fuel economy, cost, and convenience are recognized. The study will enable structuring and classification of knowledge about accident causation and crash management using quantitative risk analysis tools and methodologies, and allow identification of knowledge gaps that are preventing a more complete understanding of the complex highway transportation system. Decision models resulting from this work will aid the automobile industry in the selection of the optimal crash-avoidance measure under resource constraints in a timely yet market-focused and cost effective manner. Several features of the proposed decision making framework include the consideration of the multiple conflicting and noncommensurable objectives in the optimal design process; the allowance of the impact analysis on multiple injury levels and on various consumer groups; and the recognition of complex system interactions. To achieve the stated objectives two sources of expertise will be used: From academic research recently developed and/or enhanced engineering design methodologies including fault-tree analysis, multiobjective and trade-off analysis, and optimal resource allocation will be used. Industrial research will contribute an understanding of the biomechanical responses to the physical characteristics of various energy-absorbing materials.