Abstract
Travelling by bus or coach is, according to all available statistics, the safest means of road transport. The situation in Europe has improved over the years and can be expected to continue in this direction in the future, when the body structure of the vehicles on the roads get better as the R66 requirements will be fulfilled by an increased number of vehicles. The more general fitment of seatbelts in coaches will also help improving the situation as long as they are used! Being strapped to a seat by a belt system requires a solid roof structure, to provide necessary survival space. The two safety systems go hand in hand.
The roof strength requirements have been developed and improved over the years, as well as the testing methods. We appreciate that Hungary has played an active role in this development work. From Volvos side we should like to share our experience with other experts at this conference. We have been working, not only with conventional steel structures like many others in the industry, but also with stainless steel and with aluminium body structures.