Crash test
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A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in Crashworthiness and crash compatibility for automobiles or related components.
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[edit] Types
- Frontal-Impact Tests, which is what most people initially think of when asked about a crash test. These are usually impacts upon a solid concrete wall at a specified speed, but can also be vehicle-vehicle tests. SUV's have been singled out in these tests for a while, due to the high ride-height that they often have.
- Offset Tests, in which only part of the front of the car impacts with a barrier (vehicle). These are important, as impact forces (approximately) remain the same as with a frontal impact test, but a smaller fraction of the car is required to absorb all of the force. These tests are often realized by cars turning into oncoming traffic. In the U.S., this type of testing is done by the IIHS and EuroNCAP
- Side-Impact Tests: these forms of accidents have a very significant likelihood of fatality, as cars don't have a significant crumple zone to absorb the impact forces before an occupant is injured.
- Roll-over Tests which tests a car's ability (specifically the pillars holding the roof) to support itself in a dynamic impact. More recently dynamic rollover tests have been proposed as opposed to static crush testing (video)[1].
- Roadside hardware crash tests are used to ensure crash barriers and crash cushions will protect vehicle occupants from roadside hazards, and also to ensure that guard rails, sign posts, light poles and similar appurtenances do not pose an undue hazard to vehicle occupants.
- Old versus New designs, often an old and big car against a small and new car Ford Fiesta Vs Ford SierraRanult Modus Vs Volvo 940, or two different generations of the same car model. These tests are performed to show the advancements in crashworthiness
[edit] Major providers
[edit] Data collection
Crash tests are conducted under rigorous scientific and safety standards. Each crash test is very expensive so the maximum amount of data must be extracted from each test. Usually, this requires the use of high-speed data-acquisition, at least one triaxial accelerometer and a crash test dummy, but often includes more.
Some organizations that conducts crash tests include Monash University department of Civil Engineering, which routinely conducts crash tests for the purposes of roadside barrier safety and design.
[edit] Consumer response
- In 1998, the Rover 100 received a one-star Adult Occupant Rating in EuroNCAP crash tests; sales promptly collapsed and the 18-year-old design was quickly scrapped.
- In 2005 the Holden Barina made news in Europe and Australia by scoring only two stars in its crash test, resulting in lower sales and highlighting the influence of vehicle crashworthiness on a model's success in the marketplace. The result, and decision by Holden to release the vehicle into the Australian market, resulted in a considerable amount of negative publicity, with the Managing Director of Holden forced to publicly defend his product.[3]
- The second generation Isuzu Trooper (1995–1997) models were rated "Not Acceptable" by Consumer Reports for their tendency to roll over during testing. After the report Trooper sales never recovered and two years later production ceased.
- Early A-Class production cars (W168) caused a single-vehicle accident under real world avoidance maneuvering (moose test). Having built their reputation on safety Mercedes-Benz immediately started a number of improvements, including the first automobile application of Electronic Stability Control, also known as DSC, ESP, TC, VSA, VDC, IVD, MSP, PCS and a number of others. This technology was initially standard equipment on most premium vehicles in the last decade, but is now becoming standard on more everyday vehicles. The NHTSA has introduced a proposal to mandate Electronic Stability Control on all passenger vehicles in the US by 2012.
[edit] Crash testing programs
There are a number of crash test programs around the world dedicated to providing consumers with a source of comparitative information in relation to the safety performance of new and used vehicles. Examples of new car crash test programs include ANCAP, EuroNCAP and JapNCAP. Programs such as the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 provide consumers information on the safety performance of vehicles based on real world crash data.
