Rear underrun protection for heavy goods vehicles: the potential effects of changes to the minimum technical requirements

When cars collide with goods vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes maximum permissible gross weight (HGVs) there is a fundamental incompatibility between their structures. This has been recognised as a safety concern for a long time as the energy-absorbing structural parts of the car (at about bumper level) are unlikely to interact with any structural parts of the HGV until they meet the rear suspension or wheels. By this time the load deck of the HGV, which is higher than the car front bumper and typically substantially overhangs the rear axle of the HGV, may well have intruded into the cars passenger compartment, which has little structural strength, with resulting potential for serious and fatal occupant injury. The fitment of rear underrun protection (RUP) to most HGVs was intended to solve this problem and has been a requirement in the UK (and most of the rest of the EU) for a considerable time. This study undertook a review of the UK evidence relating to the effectiveness of existing RUP. The study concluded that the technical requirements for RUP are not adequate to fully engage the crash structures of current passenger cars and to fully utilise their safety performance. A number of policy options were proposed for consideration. (A)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9781846088957
• Authors:
  • MINTON, R
  • ROBINSON, T
• Publication Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: R517
• Serial:
  • TRL Published Project Report
  • Publisher: TRL
  • ISSN: 0968-4093

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Bumpers; Crash severity; Design; Fatalities; Legislation; Rear end crashes; Safety; Trucks; Underride guards; Vehicle front end; Vehicle occupants
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1243: Car; 9011: Design (overall design); 1602: Fatality; 1355: Front protection bar; 1556: Legislation; 1236: Lorry; 1620: Rear end collision; 1665: Safety; 1623: Severity (accid, injury); 8119: United Kingdom; 1715: Vehicle occupant
• Subject Areas: Design; Motor Carriers; Passenger Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; I80: Accident Studies; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01336503
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: TRL
• ISBN: 9781846088957
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 15 2011 3:47PM