Europe’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) has updated its safety protocols for 2020, introducing new tests and making some changes in the way they evaluate cars.
One of the biggest updates is the introduction of a new moving barrier that replaces the 23-year old regulation-based moderate offset-deformable barrier test. This evaluates the protection of occupants and assesses how the front-end structure contributes to injuries. Furthermore, the safety organization will adopt the world’s most advanced mid-size male crash test dummy, nicknamed ‘Thor’.
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The side impact has also been reevaluated for the new year, with key updates including adjustments to the near-side barrier test speed and mass, which increases the severity of the test. Euro NCAP will evaluate the far-side impact protection in a premiere, whose goal is to increase the driver protection by seeing how they interact with the front passenger seat, a new measure that will rate side airbags more accurately.
Driver Status Monitoring systems, which can detect fatigue and distraction of those holding the wheel, will also be evaluated in the Safety Assist category. Euro NCAP will also continue to test the driver assistance systems and rate the automatic emergency braking and pedestrian safety with new scenarios, encouraging automakers to constantly improve their technologies.
Last, but definitely not least, the post-crash safety will be taken into account as per new guidelines set with the International Association of Fire & Rescue Services (CTIF). Car manufacturers will be rewarded when the rescue information is accurate and easily available. Euro NCAP will also check the ease of extraction, electric door handles and so on, while continuing to support the advanced eCall functions.