The aim of the project is to review and report on the issue of front, rear and side underrun crashes. In particular this was defined as to: 1. Review and collate the findings from major Australian studies examining underrun crashes involving heavy vehicles, including those that were carried out for VicRoads and FORS during the 19905; 2. Carry out a literature review to identify any relevant overseas findings and developments subsequent to these studies including any existing or proposed design standards for underrun protection; 3. Produce an updated report on front rear and side underrun that could be used as the basis of a submission to the Federal Government, seeking the introduction of appropriate Australian Design Rules to address the issue of underrun. Given consideration of levels of deceleration and the road users under threat, it is recommended that the recommended requirements apply to all heavy vehicles and possibly as low as vehicles of 3 tonne GVM. (Author/publisher)
Abstract