This paper presents and discusses the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) research to improve the safety of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The most recent areas of research have included front underrun guards and anti-lock braking systems. For a front underrun guard to be fully effective in full frontal and offset frontal impacts, the TRL research has found that it should be positioned to have a ground clearance no greater than 400 mm. There were approximately 800 fatal accidents involving HGVs in Great Britain in 1988. Two samples of the Police records of these accidents have been analyzed. The results are presented and, in combination with the TRL track research, used to estimate the potential life-saving benefits of the proposed safety improvements. The analyses have found that front underrun guards fitted to all HGVs in Great Britain would probably save about 80 lives each year. Anti-lock braking systems are likely to save around 70 lives each year.
Samenvatting