Crash Testing Experts Meet To Discuss Common Interests

Crash testing experts from around the world gathered in Tokyo, Japan from 18-20 September 2012 to discuss common interests with car safety tests and assessment programs across world markets.

Convened by Global NCAP – established as part of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020), representatives from Australia & New Zealand (ANCAP), Europe (Euro NCAP), Japan (JNCAP), Latin America (Latin NCAP), and Malaysia (ASEAN NCAP) met to review current vehicle safety tests and discuss opportunities for the future improved alignment of test procedures. The United States’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also provided input to the discussions.

The Global NCAP Expert Technical Working Group meeting reviewed existing test objectives, types, parameters and assessment methods as well as the integration of safety assist technologies into safety ratings; guidelines for best practice to assist New Car Assessment Programs (NCAP) in emerging markets; and the application and use of NCAP brands.

Delegates acknowledged that there are different areas of safety emphasis for different markets, and also considerable differences in the manufacturing and specification safety quality of similar cars in different markets. There was recognition of the value of a common ‘library’ of tests, assessment methods and communications programs to assist in reducing duplication of testing and assist in the expansion of NCAPs in new emerging markets.

“This would provide a number of benefits to NCAPs, manufacturers and consumers alike,” said Global NCAP Trustee and ANCAP Chairman, Mr Lauchlan McIntosh.

“Improved communications would provide greater exposure for each NCAP. For manufacturers selling to a global market, they would be encouraged to design and build their vehicles to world best safety standards in all markets. Consumers benefit from the greater number of vehicles with improved safety features which would assist in reducing death and injuries from road crashes.”

In addition, with the recent introduction of many collision avoidance technologies, common testing and assessment methods would assist consumers to buy and hence manufacturers to equip new cars with these technologies across all markets,” said Mr McIntosh.

The Global NCAP Expert Technical Working Group will continue its work on developing common interests over the coming months and build a program for detailed discussion at the Global NCAP Annual Meeting to be held in Seoul, South Korea in May 2013.

In parallel, a Global NCAP Communications Working Group will be proposed to assist in sharing ideas and resources, and strengthen the NCAP and associated public car safety testing and assessment brands.

The Global NCAP Expert Technical Working Group has proposed that it meet annually with ANCAP acting as the secretariat for this Group.