To realize a dream of “zero-nize” the fatalities and injuries in traffic accidents, or even accidents themselves, related to commercial vehicles, future concepts for both large truck and small delivery truck, with a name ASV concept L (long haul truck), and ASV concept C (city use) were studied.
The newest available traffic accident statistics data in Japan was used for analyses to know the characteristics of accidents each types of commercial vehicles are involved. The result showed the accidents related to large trucks and one related to small trucks are quite different. Among the accidents related to large trucks used mainly for long haul use, which consist 15% of all fatalities, almost 50% of the fatalities are car occupants. For the small trucks used mainly in city for delivery purpose, almost 40% of the accidents are with pedestrians and cyclists.
From these analyses, it was concluded that the following three areas are the most important areas to tackle with.
In ASV concept L, Energy Absorbing Front Structure was proposed to reduce a damage of car occupants and 50% decrease in fatalities in such accidents may be possible with the structure. Pre-crash Safety System is to cope with rear-end collision. With millimeter-wave length radar, objects are found and the system gives warning to the driver. In case driver takes no avoiding maneuver, the system automatically applies brake to reduce the impact speed.
In ASV concept C, Body Structure for Pedestrian Safety was proposed. Blind-spot Monitoring System for vehicle front, rear and below to assist the driver, Ultra-thin Pillar for better frontal view and Pedestrian Detection and Warning System were proposed.