Quote from: julian.vdm on May 05, 2023, 06:35:08The IIHS rates pedestrian safety based largely on pedestrian safety systems (emergency auto braking type stuff). I mean there's going to be very little difference between 5000 lbs and 7000 lbs if they're both going 50 mph, but lowering the hood height helps in more than one way. It helps drivers more easily see nearby pedestrians while also localising injuries in the lower extremities — where they're generally less fatal — and reducing the chances of front overs.
Well first of all, generally a pedestrian shouldn't be hit at 50mph, unless they are running across a highway and at that point we can only leave it to darwin. Generally the hit should be at city speeds of 25-30mph. Unless they are speeding in the city, but those people should forever lose their license and be jailed.
That said, lowering height has ups and downs, while lower hood does mean the brunt is on the lower parts, it also means that person is more likely to be flipped over the car. Being hit at 5mph with higher hood would just knock you back, while at lower hood can cause you to roll over the car. It's hard to say what is better where because it all depends on situations. The best thing is not hitting them in the first place.
This is why I am so upset that V2I and V2V has been delayed so long. How many lives that could have been saved. Cars can sends signals that would be pinged back by smartwatches and smartphones and letting drivers both see people behind obstacles like buildings and parked cars. It also would allow better automatic braking systems