Euro NCAP reveals details of new Truck Safe testing for HGVs

Euro NCAP has revealed the details of how it will conduct its first ever heavy truck safety rating tests.

Amongst the key safety technologies being assessed by Euro NCAP will be Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), AEB Vulnerable Road Users (AEB VRU), Lane Support Systems (LSS), Nearside Turn AEB and Move Off Prevention and Camera Monitor Systems (eMirrors).

Euro NCAP’s move into a Truck Safe rating scheme is in response to research showing that trucks are involved in a disproportionate number of fatal collisions on European roads. Trucks currently represent just 3% of vehicles on the EU’s roads, but are involved in almost 15% road fatalities. 

Using practice test methods developed over the last decade for passenger cars, Euro NCAP’s Truck Safe rating scheme will create useful guidelines for the design of future, safer heavy trucks. 

“By publicly presenting the procedures and requirements ahead of the rating, we hope that industry will take note and react accordingly,” said Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general Euro NCAP. “At NCAP24 we are delighted to be joined by key stakeholders in the industry and vehicle manufacturers including DAF, Scania, Volvo and ZF who are demonstrating their state-of-the-art technologies.

Matthew Avery, director of strategy development Euro NCAP added: “The future Truck Safe rating will incentivise good safety performance in both cities and highways and allow optimisation of operational safety and cost. New regulatory requirements have forced manufacturers to increase safety performance. However, our aim is to progress towards best practice in all types of vehicle safety, rather than just meeting minimum standards. A goal we have successfully achieved with passenger cars.”

The new Truck Safe rating scheme will be the first safety rating for heavy goods vehicles, which Euro NCAP says will “enable all stakeholders in the freight industry to identify and assess the safety level of trucks”. 

It is hoped that no only will it improve safety for drivers but also allow operators to see which is the safest vehicle they are investing in, creating a market for safety that will encourage manufacturers and suppliers to innovate further.