Support us to make cars safer for everyone
FairOSA (Fair occupant protection for all) is a research project funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and led by the Institute for Vehicle Safety (VSI, Graz University of Technology).
Analyses of accident data on frontal collisions show that female occupants often have a higher risk of injury and death than male occupants. The seat belt is the most important passive safety system in a vehicle for preventing serious injuries in the event of an accident and minimizing the severity of injuries. However, interaction with the seat belt depends heavily on body shape and seating position. Body shape depends on biological sex. Gender-specific differences in the type, proportion, and distribution of body fat are known to exist even with the same BMI. The current project aims to investigate the influence of body shape on the protective effect of seat belts in frontal collisions and whether this is related to the increased risk of injury for female vehicle occupants in the field. To this end, the interaction of the seat belt during a braking maneuver is being investigated on a sled system in a laboratory environment. The findings from these tests can then be used to optimize seat belt systems with the help of virtual human models in order to ensure protection regardless of body shape and to protect all vehicle occupants equally well.
We are looking for male and female volunteers who would like to participate in this study.
If you are interested in participating in the study, please fill out the short questionnaire at the following link: Link
Hard facts:
• Study period: February 1, 2026 – June 1, 2026 (TBD)
• Time required: approx. 2.5 hours (TBD)
• Braking tests in the laboratory
About you:
• By participating, you will be contributing to improving the safety of vehicle occupants.
• You are between 20 and 40 years old.
• You are between 1.60 m and 1.80 m tall.
• You do not suffer from rheumatic diseases, acute and chronic spinal disorders, or acute neurological or psychiatric disorders
• You do not suffer from diseases or changes to the spine caused by accidents or other injuries
• You are not pregnant
