In recent times, safety measures for occupants in heavy duty vehicle collisions such as for buses and trucks have been studied intensively in Japan. However, domestic guidelines for crash tests for heavy duty vehicles were not available in Japan prior to this study. Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI) has started to study standard guidelines for heavy duty vehicle crash tests with the contract by Japan Automobile Manufacturers Assocation (JAMA). This paper investigated configurations of heavy duty vehicle accidents. Then guidelines for crash tests of buses and trucks have been formulated accordingly. The guidelines can evaluate occupant injuries similar to frontal impact regulation for passenger cars in Japan (Article 18, Safety Regulation for Road Vehicles). Vehicle crash tests have also been conducted to verify the guidelines. It is found that the guidelines are satisfactory for heavy duty vehicles. (A)
Samenvatting