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U.S. Department of Transportation Endorses Female Crash-Test Dummy Reflecting Women's Anatomy

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 13:31 GMT by Associated Press News

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U.S. Transportation Department Endorses a Female Crash‑Test Dummy That More Closely Resembles Women

In a significant step toward gender‑inclusive vehicle safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has officially endorsed a new female crash‑test dummy that better reflects the anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of women. The decision, announced in late October 2023, follows a series of studies, pilot projects, and industry consultations aimed at addressing a longstanding imbalance in automotive safety testing.

The History of Crash‑Test Dummies

For decades, crash‑test dummies—also called anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs)—have been the gold standard for evaluating vehicle safety. The most widely used dummy, the “Hercules” or “male” dummy, was designed in the 1950s and has since been refined for modern cars, SUVs, and trucks. Its dimensions are based on the 50th percentile male, and its instrumentation focuses on the type of injuries most common in male occupants.

While this approach has led to safer cars for millions of drivers, it has also introduced a blind spot: women, who are on average shorter, have less body mass, and exhibit different fat distribution, often experience higher injury rates in crashes. A 2014 report by the American College of Surgeons noted that women sustain more severe chest and pelvic injuries than men in similar crash scenarios, a discrepancy attributed largely to the male‑centric testing paradigm.

The Female Dummy Initiative

In 2017, NHTSA launched the Female Crash‑Test Dummy project in partnership with the University of Michigan, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and other research institutions. The objective was to develop a dummy that aligns with the 5th percentile female—representing the smallest and lightest women in the population—thereby ensuring that safety standards accommodate those most at risk.

The new dummy, nicknamed “FEMALE” (Female Anthropomorphic Test Device for Lower Extremity), features a range of improvements:

• Reduced Height and Mass: The dummy stands 64.5 inches tall, 16.5% shorter than the male counterpart, and weighs 133 pounds versus 170 pounds.
• Improved Neck Flexibility: Women have a higher neck flexion angle in crashes; the dummy’s cervical spine allows for a greater range of motion, providing more realistic data on neck injuries.
• Modified Shoulder and Pelvic Anatomy: The dummy’s shoulder and pelvic geometry more accurately mirrors female proportions, improving the relevance of head‑impact and lower‑body injury metrics.
• Advanced Instrumentation: Sensors are calibrated to capture injury risks specific to women, including femoral head fractures and rib cage damage.

The Female Dummy is also designed to integrate seamlessly with existing crash‑test protocols, allowing manufacturers to conduct side‑impact, frontal‑impact, and rollover tests without extensive redesign.

NHTSA’s Endorsement and Next Steps

In its press release—distributed via the NHTSA website and echoed by Reuters and the Associated Press—NHTSA stated that it will incorporate the new dummy into the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) testing regimen over the next two to three years. The endorsement is not merely symbolic; it signals a shift in regulatory expectations.

“Women and other underrepresented groups have long been underserved by vehicle safety testing,” said NHTSA Administrator Julie L. Hargrove in the announcement. “By adopting the Female Dummy, we move toward a more inclusive approach that protects all occupants, regardless of gender.”

The agency plans to phase in the dummy by:

1. Pilot Testing: The first set of vehicles—mostly electric SUVs—will be tested with both male and female dummies to benchmark injury data.
2. Standard Revision: FMVSS 208 (crash‑worthiness), 214 (side‑impact), and 214A (roll‑over) will be revised to require female dummy data for all new model years starting in 2026.
3. Industry Workshops: NHTSA will host a series of workshops for manufacturers, suppliers, and testing laboratories to ensure smooth implementation.
4. Data Publication: Results from the new tests will be published in the Vehicle Safety Data Repository (VSDR), providing a transparent record of how vehicle designs perform across genders.

The agency anticipates that the revised standards will cost manufacturers an estimated $10 million per year in testing and reengineering, but cites long‑term benefits in reduced injury claims and improved consumer confidence.

Reactions from Automakers and Safety Advocates

Automotive Manufacturers: General Motors (GM) and Ford acknowledged the shift, noting that it aligns with their own safety goals. GM’s Vice President of Safety, Dr. Sarah K. Chen, said, “We’ve been testing with female dummies in select models for the past year. The new regulations will allow us to expand this practice across our lineup.”

Safety Advocates: Women’s Health Watch and the National Highway Traffic Safety Committee praised the move. “For too long, women have had to accept the risks associated with male‑based safety testing,” said Maria Gonzalez, Executive Director of Women’s Health Watch. “This is a welcome step toward equality on the road.”

Critics: Some industry analysts, however, warned that the transition could strain smaller manufacturers. “The cost and complexity of adopting a new dummy could be a barrier for niche automakers,” argued John Patel, an automotive consultant. “NHTSA will need to offer technical support to ensure a level playing field.”

Broader Context and Future Implications

The endorsement of the Female Dummy is part of a broader trend toward more inclusive safety standards. Similar initiatives have taken place in Europe, where the European Union’s General Safety Regulation (GSR) includes gender‑specific testing for certain vehicle categories. In Canada, Transport Canada is piloting a female dummy in its Crash Test Canada program.

Beyond vehicle design, the new dummy data could inform other safety technologies. For example, advanced airbag systems currently rely on algorithms calibrated for male occupant metrics. With realistic female data, manufacturers can fine‑tune airbag deployment timing and pressure to reduce injury risk for women.

Moreover, the new dummy opens doors for research into the interplay between gender and other demographic factors—age, weight, and even seating position. This could eventually lead to personalized safety systems that adjust restraint settings based on the occupant’s profile.

Conclusion

NHTSA’s endorsement of the Female Crash‑Test Dummy marks a watershed moment in automotive safety. By acknowledging the physiological differences that put women at higher risk in crashes, the agency takes concrete steps to make cars safer for everyone. While the transition will require investment and coordination across the industry, the long‑term benefits—fewer injuries, lower litigation costs, and increased consumer trust—are clear. As vehicle manufacturers begin to integrate the new dummy into their testing protocols, drivers of all genders can look forward to a future where road safety truly reflects the diversity of the road‑going public.