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

这项研究利用现有的数据库调查了车辆设计、碰撞特性、基础设施和驾驶员属性之间的关系；通过故障树分析研究了事故因果系统的结构；以及在认识到燃油经济性、成本和便利性的限制时，优化车辆设计标准以将伤亡风险降至最低。这项研究将能够利用定量风险分析工具和方法对事故原因和碰撞管理方面的知识进行结构和分类，并能够确定阻碍对复杂的公路运输系统进行更全面了解的知识差距。这项工作所产生的决策模型将有助于汽车行业在资源受限的情况下，以及时的、以市场为中心的、具有成本效益的方式选择最优的防撞措施。拟议决策框架的几个特点包括：在优化设计过程中考虑到多个相互冲突和不可通约的目标；允许对多个伤害水平和不同消费者群体进行影响分析；以及认识到复杂的系统相互作用。为实现所述目标，将使用两个专业知识来源：将使用最近开发的和/或改进的工程设计方法的学术研究，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各种能量吸收材料的物理特性的生物力学响应。

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.