Computational Human Finite Element Models in Trauma Biomechanics for Enhanced Safety and Injury Prevention

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Accidental injury is a leading cause of preventable hospitalization and fatality in Canada and throughout the world (Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2025). The World Health Organization estimates 1.2 million fatalities and up to 50 million injuries per year, globally, resulting from road traffic accidents. Crash Induced Injuries are recognized as preventable and Transport Canada has committed to reducing the number of road traffic fatalities. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the importance of computer models and Human Body Models (HBM) capable of predicting injury as a vital biomechanics priority to improve safety. However, gaps in current knowledge include injury prediction capabilities, incorporation of active musculature, and gender/stature/age effects on injury outcome. The proposed project integrates with a global automotive industry effort dedicated to the development and validation of human body models, and brings together major vehicle manufacturers in Canada to enhance existing male and female neck models for injury prediction at the tissue level for complex loading scenarios. Of critical importance is enhancement of these models to address spinal cord injury, active musculature, and the development of novel aged neck models to address an at-risk population. The resulting new knowledge will provide the global research community with validated methods for predicting injury, aiming to reduce crash induced injuries to benefit all Canadians and support Transport Canada's goal to reduce road traffic fatalities and serious injuries.