Algodoo

the #1 damper absorbs the most energy, and thus is the most effective damper. #2 absorbs the least amount of energy, and thus is the least effective. I suspect that the multi-piece barrier of #3 contributes to its higher effectiveness than #2, due to friction rubbing of the separate pieces during collision

YES YES THANKS

#1 damps the collision the most, is the least effective, and absorbs the least energy.
#2 is the most effective, and absorbs the most energy.
#3 damps the collision the least, is almost as effective as #2, and absorbs slightly less energy than #2.

I judged effectiveness based on maximum deceleration value. The lower the value, the less trauma to the car occupants, the higher the effectiveness.

I measured the energy absorbed by plotting the energy for the dampers.

I judged the damping by the total travel of the cars after impact. The greater the travel, the lower the damping.