Eight trucks analyzed by Euro NCAP: Volvo FH Aero e FM, Renault T, Scania R-series e G Series, DAF XF, And TGX and Mercedes-Benz Actros. Five stars for Volvo Trucks (independent from Volvo Cars), four for Renault Trucks (again nothing to do with cars) and Scania, three stars for DAF, MAN and Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
Said like this, it might not mean much, but behind EuroNCAP’s evaluation of heavy vehicles there is something hidden great conquest in terms of safety as well as a considerable effort on the part of the body itself to develop the tests. this is the new evaluation program Truck Safe: in fact, it is the first time ever that heavy commercial vehicles (trucks) are subjected to safety tests.
Useful, but potentially dangerous
Trucks, precisely because of their weight and size, despite representing less than 3% of the fleet circulating in Europe, are responsible for the 15% of fatal accidents. where 89% of victims are passengers in cars and vans, as well as vulnerable road users.
Photo at: Volvo Trucks
Volvo Trucks, safety systems for cyclists and pedestrians
Having said this, it must be said that heavy commercial vehicles also represent a economic strength important and play an essential role in the distribution of 95% of the goods on the European continent. It is therefore fundamental support the sectorensuring that trucks are safe.
Photo at: Volvo Trucks
Volvo Trucks, safety systems for cyclists and pedestrians
Protocollo Truck Safe
Truck Safe is the first of the Euro NCAP testing protocols to adopt a new structure which measures the safety of the vehicle throughout the life cycle of an accident. The evaluation methodology focuses on three phases and on the timing of a typical accident episode: the hours and minutes preceding the accident, with particular attention to safe driving, the intervention of active safety systems before the accident or the prevention of the accident and the “golden hour” after the accident.
Photo at: Volvo Trucks
Volvo Trucks, safety systems for cyclists and pedestrians
In addition to awarding each vehicle a rating of up to five stars, Euro NCAP has introduced an additional accreditation “CitySafe” which is awarded to trucks equipped with technologies or good design capable of preventing accidents that generally occur in cities or urban environments, such as the function of automated emergency braking in the event that invisible bicycles are detected next to vehicles making turns at the intersection.
Photo by: Euro NCAP
The Starred on the podium
The Volvo FH Aero (5 stars) has excellent visibility, achieving a good score also thanks to the presence of good driving assistance systems. That’s good too in terms of accident preventionis, in fact, equipped with an automated braking system to protect cyclists when trucks turn. The Volvo FH achieves a five-star rating and CitySafe recognition. Identical score also for the variant Volvo FM characterized by a lower cab to improve visibility.
Photo by: Euro NCAP
Il Renault Trucks T achieves a four-star rating for its high-quality advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The vehicle benefits from a cyclist turning function which, together with more limited direct visibility, makes it more suitable for highways, rather than city streets.
Photo by: Euro NCAP
The Scania G Series (four stars) has good visibility in the low cab version. The vehicle has almost all assistance systems driving required by Euro NCAP, but many available as optional. The performance in terms of accident prevention is good. The AEB VRU (blind spot alert), combined with good visibility, earns it four stars and the CitySafe recognition. The Serie R it gets one star less (three) precisely because of the lower visibility.
Photo by: Euro NCAP
The DAF XF (three stars) achieves safe driving performance at the top of the category for the flat-floor cab suitable for long-distance transport. Visibility performance is among the best in the category, with very large windows, low belt lines and CMS (screens and rear-view cameras) replacing all mirrors. It features an advanced system assisted braking which works quite well in frontal collisions with vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Achieves three-star rating and CitySafe award.
Photo by: Euro NCAP
Il AND TGX offers a solid safety performance of three starswell balanced between safe driving and accident prevention. Direct visibility performance is poor, but an excellent Camera Monitoring System (CMS) is available as an option, offering better visibility for the driver.
Mercedes-Benz in version Actros L offers a solid safety performance of three stars. It is the tallest truck tested in this sector, but thanks to the presence of the CMS it manages to obtain a good score in safe driving. It offers an excellent range of accident prevention technologies.
Crush tests will also be coming soon
Testing protocols are currently focused on active safety, with systems for visibility and accident prevention. Consistent with the approach applied to other vehicle classes, the passive safety (i.e. crash protection tests) will become part of the evaluation protocol for heavy commercial vehicles from 2030.
Photo by: Euro NCAP
EuroNCAP heavy commercial vehicle tests
All testing protocols come updated according to a three-year cycle and are adapted from the Euro NCAP assessment and regulatory programmes. The tests are carried out at various specialized and accredited centers throughout Europe.
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Source: it.motor1.com
