Status report and future development of the Euro NCAP program

Euro NCAP has prevailed as the uniform consumer protection crash test program throughout Europe. It delivers information about occupant protection during frontal and side impact collision and about pedestrian protection. Since the start of the program in 1996 nine test series have been conducted so far and a total of about 100 vehicle models have been analyzed.

The test procedures are founded on real life accident studies and have been developed on the basis of current standards or drafts. However impact speeds and vehicle occupancy in some cases exceed the defined values. The rating system uses dummy loading as well as dummy and vehicle related modifiers. Both test and rating procedures continuously are tuned and developed further in close co- ordination with research and industry. For this Euro NCAP has established a route map for the next 10 years.

During the ongoing short time phase existing modifiers are objetivized and additional modifiers are introduced. Additionally integration of child restraint performance in overall rating are under discussion. For the second medium time phase new procedures such as rear impact/whiplash protection tests are planned.