Crash testing for safety – possible enhancements to ANCAP test and rating methods
Keywords: Vehicle Design & Testing
ARSRPE
Submission Date: 2008
Abstract
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) started in 1992, based on a crash test program introduced by the US government in the 1970s. In 1993 ANCAP became the first organisation to introduce the frontal offset crash test. Subsequently various ?NCAPs? have started in Europe, Japan and Korea, as well as at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the USA. In 1999 ANCAP (then Australian NCAP) aligned its test and assessment protocols with Euro NCAP and has been republishing applicable European results each year.
During 2008 Euro NCAP plans to implement major changes to its program. This paper outlines the Euro NCAP changes and discusses their applicability to Australia and New Zealand. Test and assessment methods by other NCAP organisations are also reviewed. Possible future enhancements to ANCAP are described.