Overview
Pedestrian casualties form a large proportion of road user casualties in most developed countries. Car design measures could reduce the severity of pedestrian injuries and will also benefit many pedal cyclists and a small number of motor cyclists. A European Working Group (EEVC WG10) has developed pedestrian test methods and performance criteria which can assess the likely harm caused to a pedestrian by particular designs of car front. The UK contribution to WG10 and the subsequent WG17 (which was set up to refine these test methods) was covered by a previous VSE project S220C/VF which completed in 1999. This project continues that work, and supports UK negotiations concerning future European and international measures to improve vehicle design with regard to pedestrian protection.
This project will support the development of the European Enhanced Vehicle Committee (EEVC) pedestrian protection proposals into an EU directive. It will also support the development of world-wide pedestrian test procedures through the Internation Harmonised Research Agenda (IHRA) and International Standards Organisation (ISO) groups.