New crash-testing laboratory in Adelaide

Pedestrian safety put to the test as part of expanded ANCAP regime

The University of Adelaide has announced the opening of a new facility to test the pedestrian safety of cars currently on sale.

Aimed at providing pedestrian impact data for the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the Vehicle Safety Laboratory is operated by the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR), which is funded by the University of Adelaide.

The new laboratory has been established in accordance with "regulations, directives and protocols" from around the world and tests bull bars, energy absorbing materials and vehicle interiors. In undertaking crash reconstruction, the laboratory relies on high-speed film capture and high resolution data acquisition to assemble an accurate picture of the trauma incurred during a high-velocity impact.

"Pedestrians make up a significant proportion of all road casualties, accounting within Australia for 16.5 per cent of all road fatalities and 8.5 per cent of all serious injuries," said CASR Director Professor Mary Lydon.

"This testing will assist the design of more pedestrian friendly vehicles. It puts the spotlight on protection offered to pedestrians by different vehicle structures and means we can measure improvements and differences in safety."

On hand for the opening was ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan McIntosh, who anticipates that the new CASR facility will add value to ANCAP's crash testing regime.

"Pedestrian testing is a major part of ANCAP's crash testing process, and these new CASR facilities will provide a better amenity for the pedestrian tests, which form a part of the overall ANCAP safety rating," McIntosh said. "ANCAP has worked closely with CASR for some years now in testing and providing vehicle safety ratings, and these new premises will only strengthen our relationship."

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