Although close neighbours to the United States, the ten provinces and two territories in Canada do not have the same requirements for roadside safety hardware such as contained in NCHRP 230. Although design requirements are specified in the various manuals, no physical testing of roadside safety hardware has been carried out in Canada since the early 1970's. Performance criteria is based primarily on U.S. testing and experience. This paper will outline the current status in Canada with respect to requirements of roadside safety hardware and the efforts being taken in trying to increase the level of activity in this most important area, since approximately 40% of all Canadian road fatalities are related to single vehicle run off the road accidents. This paper will also describe the Federal Governments interests through the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, in the requirements for vehicle standards such as side impact strength, roof crush, passenger compartment intrusion and occupant restraint.
Abstract