Benefit potential of ESP in real accident situations involving cars and trucks

Langwieder, Klaus; Gwehenberger, Johann; Hummel, Thomas; Bende, Jenö

Affiliations

¹GDV Institute for Vehicle Safety, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The Electronic Stability Program, or ESP, for passenger cars, leads to a stabilization of the vehicle in adverse circumstances on the road or during evasive maneuvers by means of a selective intervention in the braking system and the resulting regulation of the yawing moment. This is of particular importance during evasive maneuvers, when counter-steering and when accelerating or decelerating during cornering. Furthermore, stability control systems such as this are about to be released on to the market for commercial vehicles. In conjunction with additional roll-over preventing systems, this represents real potential in the avoidance of accidents, in particular rollover and dangerous jack-knifing.

In this context, the Institute for Vehicle Safety Munich (IFM) investigated the benefit potential of ESP in real accident situations by means of a detailed analysis of several accident databases. On the one hand, they determined the maximum possible benefits and on the other hand they analyzed and categorized individual accidents where ESP could exert a positive influence. Loss of control could be observed in approx. 25 to 30 % of all car accidents involving personal injury. In the case of trucks, up to 9% of serious accidents could have been positively influenced or even prevented using an ESP.

Finally, limitations of these modern technical systems will be outlined and possible future problems such as poor maintenance will be discussed.

Links

URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv18/CD/Files/18ESV-000150.pdf

Cited By (5)

Year	Entry
2008	von Merten K. Verringerung des Risikos von Thoraxverletzungen beim PKW-Seitenaufprall: FEM Simulationen mit dem Mensch-Modell HUMOS Munich, Germany: Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; 2008.
2005	Lie A, Tingvall C, Krafft M, Kullgren A. The effectiveness of ESC (electronic stability control) in reducing real life crashes and injuries. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 6-9, 2005; Washington, DC.
2005	Kreiss J-P, Schüler L, Langwieder K. The effectiveness of primary safety features in passenger cars in Germany. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 6-9, 2005; Washington, DC.
2007	Thomas P, Frampton R. Real-world assessment of relative crash involvement rates of cars equipped with electronic stability control. In: Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 18-21, 2007; Lyon, France.
2009	Weekes A, Avery M, Frampton R, Thomas P. ESC standard fitment and failure to protect young drivers. In: Proceedings of the 21st International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 15-18, 2009; Stuttgart, Germany.