An European Experimental Vehicles Committee (EEVC) working group has developed a set of test procedures for evaluating the safety performance of cars when they strike pedestrians. These are being considered for possible legislative use in an European Directive. The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has played a major part in this working group, including the study of accidents and injuries, and development of the test procedures. It has developed the upper legfotm to bonnet leading edge impactor and test procedure, and has made substantial contributions to the development of the legform impactor used to test the bumper area.

TRL has also performed a large number of tests to cars, using the headform impactors to test the bonnet area, as well as using the upper legform and legform impactors. Many of these tests were performed as part of a New Car Assessment Programme. The experience gained in testing with the impactors has led to a number of minor refinements to the test procedures.

This paper reports some results from these tests, and demonstrates the current level of pedestrian protection. Test locations that offer relatively high levels of protection indicate that solutions to the problem of achieving better pedestrian safety are often readily available, low cost, and could be applied over a higher proportion of the car surface.