Benefit analysis for the introduction of a Full Width Frontal Impact Test

The APROSYS integrated project on Advanced Protection Systems is an EC 6th Framework project focusing on scientific and technological development in the field of vehicle passive safety. APROSYS sub-project 1 (SP1) is titled ‘Car Accidents’, and within this is work package 1.2 (WP1.2) titled ‘Advanced Frontal Impact’. The aim of WP1.2 is to develop and evaluate a full width high deceleration frontal impact crash test suitable for regulatory application in Europe and to perform associated cost benefit analysis. A benefit analysis performed for WP1.2 as part of APROSYS SP8.3, using the GIDAS (German In-Depth Accident Study) database, predicted a ‘marginal’ benefit for the introduction of a full width frontal impact test, estimating a reduction in MAIS 2+ injuries of approximately 1.9 percent. In this report a critical review of the benefit analysis was performed. It found that some key factors did not appear to have been investigated, and that the results were unreliable. A different methodology was used to calculate the benefit for Great Britain (GB), using the CCIS (Co-operative Crash Injury Study) database and STATS19 national accident statistics. This calculated a significant benefit for the introduction of the full width test which was greater than the previous benefit analysis.