Abstract
The European Commission funded Project APROSYS dealt with advanced protection systems for road vehicles. One of the topics was the protection of vulnerable road users (VRU) involved in heavy good vehicle (HGV) accidents as well as the protection of passenger car occupants (PC) impacting the side of a HGV (underrun protection). Different systems were investigated, e.g. a modified HGV front geometry, an energyabsorbing, retro-fittable Safety-bar and add-on solutions for side-underrun protection like the crashworthy pallet box for trailers. All those systems were studied having in mind today's HGV design, which limits the integration of protection systems. Advanced HGV designs were analysed in terms of integrated benefits. The study clearly showed that passive safety systems for HGV can not be considered isolated as stand alone systems, but have to be integrated in future HGV designs. Passive safety measures in conjunction with active safety systems will reduce killed and severe injured (KSI) vulnerable road users and passenger car occupants by providing integrated benefits. The HGV of the future will therefore be safe, economic, eco-friendly and ergonomic. Analysis for the EU-25 member states indicates a reduction up to 600 fatally injured road users per year. Besides, these integrated solutions will reduce the fuel consumption by up to 10%, and provide a more convenient working place for the driver, and reduce spray water. This paper presents the benefits with regard to safety and beyond for the future HGV and what changes are required. It also states which changes to EU legislation are requested and proposes incentives for HGV manufacturers to adopt integrated solution for enhanced passive partner protection.
KEYWORDS - Heavy goods vehicles, Passive Safety, Integrated Benefits, Vulnerable Road Users, Underrun protection