Anthropometric Targets For The Average Female: Preliminary Evaluations

Other conference contribution, 2026

Current anthropometric targets for crash test dummies (ATDs) largely stem from 1980s, which proposed four
representative sizes: small female (F05), mid-sized female (F50), mid-sized male (M50), and large male (M95).
Subsequent development, however, focused on M50, F05, and M95, leaving a gap for an average female
surrogate. Recent efforts—such as EvaRID, BioRID-P50F, VIVA+ human body models (HBMs), and the Seat
Evaluation Tool (SET)—have addressed this need, yet standardized anthropometric targets for an average
female in a seated automotive posture remain unavailable.
This study aimed to establish anthropometric targets for a seated average female using the ANSUR II dataset of
U.S. Army personnel. Bayesian linear regression modeled key seated dimensions (e.g., seated heights, hip
breadth, buttock-knee length) as functions of sex, height, and weight. Posterior predictive distributions provided
estimates for an average female (161 cm, 62 kg). Results indicate that SET 50F torso dimensions align closely
with regression-based estimates, while extremities are shorter due to the use of adapted Hybrid III F05
components. Sex-related differences in static seat loading were also evaluated using SET 50F and 50M on a
production vehicle seat. Seat cushion deformation was measured at nine locations under static loading. Profiles
revealed distinct patterns: the rear cushion region deformed more for the average male size when compared to
the average female even though both have a similar hip width, likely due to higher body mass.
The approach used in this study demonstrates the feasibility of deriving anthropometric targets for average
female surrogates from existing datasets, providing both benchmarks and uncertainty bounds. Future work
should expand measurements and include comparisons with average male targets to improve occupant safety
assessments.