In 1991, Working Group 10 of the European Experimental Vehicles Committee (EEVC) published a set of test requirements to address pedestrian impacts against car fronts. These consisted of component tests simulating impact by the lower leg and knee joint against the bumper, the upper leg and hip against the bonnet leading edge, and child and adult heads against the bonnet top. Since then, these requirements have been set out in a draft EC Directive, which may become part of the type-approval requirements for passenger cars sold in the European Union. The same test specification already forms part of the safety assessment of selected vehicles under the Euro-NCAP initiative. For both these reasons, manufacturers are paying close attention to the performance of their vehicles in these tests.

MIRA has carried out many tests to the EEVC WGlO specification, and experience to date shows that existing models fall well short of meeting these requirements. It appears that cars will need to undergo profound changes in design to meet the required standard. This paper details the engineering problems associated with achieving standards set out in the Directive in a variety of car types, and the other aspects of vehicle design which will be affected. Some possible design strategies are also outlined.