To improve compatibility in car frontal collisions it is generally agreed that better structural interaction, matching frontal forces (stiffnesses) and a strong occupant compartment, in particular for small cars, are required. The Full Width Deformable Barrier (FWDB) test is part of a portfolio of tests being considered to assess a vehicle’s frontal impact performance, including its compatibility. For compatibility, it aims to assess a vehicle’s structural interaction potential using measurements from a high resolution Load Cell Wall behind the deformable element. For self protection, it aims to provide a high compartment deceleration pulse, similar to the current US NCAP test, to assess a vehicle’s restraint system.

This paper describes the benefit predicted for the implementation of improved compatibility in GB and the current status of the FWDB test. For the FWDB test, it clarifies remaining issues including test repeatability and describes the new ‘Structural Interaction’ (SI) criterion. The SI criterion is designed to ensure that vehicles have an adequate structure in a common interaction area to interact with their collision partners and to encourage stable multi-load path structures. It consists of vertical and horizontal components that are divided into parts that could be adopted in a stepwise manner, to allow the gradual development of more compatible vehicles, appropriate for application in a regulatory framework.