In the realm of automotive safety, innovation has been the driving force for decades. The quest for safer vehicles has led to remarkable developments, but one crucial aspect has remained overlooked for far too long: the safety of women on the road. Dr. Astrid Linder, a brilliant mind at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute in Linköping, embarked on a groundbreaking mission—to create the world’s first female crash dummy. This isn’t just a miniature version of existing male dummies; it’s a profound shift in safety testing that promises to save lives and pave the way for a more equitable future on our roads.
The genesis of crash-test dummies traces back to the work of Major J.P. Stapp, a USA Air Force Flight Surgeon in 1949. His aim was to ensure the safety of military pilots, and in doing so, he gave birth to Sierra Sam, the first crash-test dummy. However, Sierra Sam, like its successors, was modeled after the average male adult, as that was the primary demographic in cockpit seats at the time.
This early bias had far-reaching implications, setting the standard for crash-test dummies for decades to come. The world of safety testing became a male-dominated arena, where women were, in essence, invisible. This gender imbalance overlooked the unique anatomical and behavioral differences that make women more vulnerable in certain crash scenarios.
For years, the standard crash-test dummy was a model based on the proportions of an average male body—a 175 cm (5 feet 7 inches) tall man weighing 78 kg. The size and dimensions of this dummy were significantly taller and heavier than those of the average woman. In fact, the existing female dummy was a mere approximation of a 12-year-old girl, standing at 149 cm tall (4 feet 8 inches) and weighing 48 kg. This gender disparity in crash-test dummies was more than just a technical oversight; it was a matter of life and death on our roads.
Eleanor Holmes Norton, a vocal advocate for gender equality in transportation, highlighted a stark reality: while women have achieved equality behind the wheel, safety testing hasn’t kept pace. Norton aptly noted, “Women have achieved equality on the road when it comes to driving. But when it comes to safety testing to keep them safe on the road, they are nowhere near achieving equality.”
The limitations of existing crash-test dummies have left women vulnerable to the consequences of a skewed testing environment. While men drive more miles and engage in riskier behaviors, it’s the differences in anatomy and behavior that underscore the urgency for female-specific testing. In frontal car accidents, women are 73 percent more likely to be seriously injured when compared to similar car accidents with male occupants of similar age, height, BMI, and vehicle year.
Additionally, female drivers and right-front passengers wearing seatbelts face a 17% to 18.5% higher risk of fatality than their male counterparts. These startling statistics underscore the pressing need for gender parity in safety testing.
Beyond the realm of safety testing, women’s presence faces erasure in multiple domains, including data collection. Fields such as history, sociology, anthropology, and even biological sciences have often marginalized or overlooked women’s contributions and experiences.
This “data poverty” extends to areas like health research. Studies have shown that women are less likely to receive CPR from strangers in public, leading to higher odds of survival for men. Similarly, research imbalances persist in areas like cancer, where historically, men have been the primary focus despite rising incidents of breast cancer in women.
The consequence of this data gap is that women remain underserved and vulnerable to various risks, often without the necessary prevention and protection measures in place.
Dr. Astrid Linder’s work represents a watershed moment in safety testing. Her female crash dummy stands at 162 cm in height and weighs 62 kg—matching the dimensions of an average woman today. This shift to a female-centric approach promises more accurate crash test data, a crucial step toward enhancing vehicle safety for women.
What sets Dr. Linder’s creation apart is its commitment to authenticity. It’s not just a scaled-down version of male dummies; it’s a true-to-life simulation of a woman’s body. This includes anatomical modifications and sensory enhancements that target low-severity rear impact collisions—a scenario that often proves far more dangerous for women than men.
In a quest to eradicate this glaring bias, Dr. Linder assembled a team of innovative engineers to embark on an audacious mission. The result was the birth of “EvaRID,” a revolutionary female crash-test dummy that sets a new industry standard. EvaRID stands at an average height of 162 cm (5 feet 3 inches) and weighs 62 kg. This breakthrough in crash-test dummy technology is a testament to Dr. Linder’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and accuracy in safety testing.
The introduction of EvaRID illuminates the pressing need for a more comprehensive approach to safety testing. Dr. Linder’s work underscores the significance of considering the unique physiological attributes of women in crash scenarios. It’s a step toward ensuring that safety standards cater to the diverse range of individuals behind the wheel.
Dr. Linder’s pioneering efforts extend far beyond her remarkable technical achievements. Her work resonates with a broader principle of diversity and inclusion in scientific research. By addressing a critical oversight in the field, Dr. Linder highlights the importance of encompassing a diverse range of perspectives when shaping safety standards that affect every individual on the road.
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. Dr. Linder has received accolades such as the EU Champions of Transport Research Competition and the US Government Award for Safety Engineering Excellence. Marta Garcia, Executive President of WWCOTY, expressed her delight in Dr. Linder’s recognition, stating, “I’m delighted that Astrid Linder has won the WOW Award. She stood out in the voting, and it’s an honor to have her win this award; the only award in the world voted entirely by women motoring journalists.”
Dr. Astrid Linder’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of innovation, determination, and the importance of challenging the status quo. Her pioneering work will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on vehicle safety standards, creating a safer and more inclusive road ahead for all individuals, regardless of gender.
As we celebrate her achievements, we are reminded that progress knows no bounds, and the pursuit of a safer world on our roads continues to evolve—one groundbreaking discovery at a time.