Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Crash Test shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Crash Test offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Crash Test at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Crash Test? Wrong! If the Crash Test is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Crash Test then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Crash Test? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Crash Test and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Crash Test wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Crash Test then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Crash Test site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Crash Test, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Crash Test, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
. The Association stated that the driver would not have survived the 64 km/h(40 mph) test.A
crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in crash compatibility for automobiles or related components.
Types
- Frontal-Impact Tests, which is what most people initially think of when asked about a crash test. These are usually impacts upon a solid concrete wall at a specified speed, but can also be vehicle-vehicle tests. SUV's have been singled out in these tests for a while, due to the high ride-height that they often have.
- Offset Tests, in which only part of the front of the car impacts with a barrier (vehicle). These are important, as impact forces (approximately) remain the same as with a frontal impact test, but a smaller fraction of the car is required to absorb all of the force. These tests are often realized by cars turning into oncoming traffic. In the U.S., this type of testing is done by the IIHS.
- Side collision Tests: these forms of accidents have a very significant likelihood of fatality, as cars don't have a significant crumple zone to absorb the impact forces before an occupant is injured.
- Rollover Tests which tests a car's ability (specifically the Pillar (car) holding the roof) to support itself in a dynamic impact. More recently dynamic rollover tests have been proposed as opposed to static crush testing (video).
- The moose test has been used in Sweden for decades to test how a certain vehicle, usually an automobile, acts when avoiding a sudden danger, such as a moose.
- Roadside hardware crash tests are used to ensure crash barrier and crash cushions will protect vehicle occupants from roadside hazards, and also to ensure that guard rails, sign posts, light poles and similar appurtenances do not pose an undue hazard to vehicle occupants.
Major providers
- NHTSA (FMVSS and NCAP)
- EuroNCAP
- IIHS
- JapNCAP
- Australasian New Car Assessment Program
Data collection
Crash tests are conducted under rigorous
scientific and
safety standardisation. Each crash test is very expensive so the maximum amount of data must be extracted from each test. Usually, this requires the use of high-speed data-acquisition, at least one
tri-axial accelerometer and a
crash test dummy, but often includes more.
Some organizations that conducts crash tests include Consumers Union for the
magazine Consumer Reports, and
Monash University department of
Civil Engineering, which routinely conducts crash tests for the purposes of roadside barrier safety and design.
Consumer response
- In 1998, the Rover Metro#Rover 100 received a one-star Adult Occupant Rating in EuroNCAP crash tests; sales promptly collapsed and the 18-year-old design was quickly scrapped.
- In 2005 the Holden Barina made news in Europe and Australia by scoring only two stars in its crash test, resulting in lower sales and highlighting the influence of vehicle crashworthiness on a model's success in the marketplace. The result, and decision by Holden to release the vehicle into the Australian market, resulted in a considerable amount of negative publicity, with the Managing Director of Holden forced to publicly defend his product.
- The second generation Isuzu Trooper (1995–1997) models were rated "Not Acceptable" by Consumer Reports for their tendency to roll over during testing. After the report Trooper sales never recovered and two years later production ceased.
- Early A-Class production cars (W168) caused a single-vehicle accident under real world avoidance maneuvering (moose test). Having built their reputation on safety Mercedes-Benz immediately started a number of improvements, including the first automobile application of Electronic Stability Control, also known as DSC, ESP, TC, VSA, VDC, IVD, MSP, PCS and a number of others. This technology was initially standard equipment on most premium vehicles in the last decade, but is now becoming standard on more everyday vehicles. The National_Highway_Traffic_Safety_Administration has introduced a proposal to mandate Electronic Stability Control on all passenger vehicles in the US by 2012.
Crash testing programs
There are a number of crash test programs around the world dedicated to providing consumers with a source of comparitative information in relation to the safety performance of new and used vehicles. Examples of new car crash test programs include ANCAP, EuroNCAP and JapNCAP. Programs such as the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 provide consumers information on the safety performance of vehicles based on real world crash data.
See also
External links
- Train Crash Test - Slow motion
- Crash Testing - High Speed Video
- HowStuffWorks: crash testing
- Insurance Institute of Highway Safety
- Federal Highways Administration: Roadside Hardware
. The Association stated that the driver would not have survived the 64 km/h(40 mph) test.A
crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in
crash compatibility for automobiles or related components.
Types
- Frontal-Impact Tests, which is what most people initially think of when asked about a crash test. These are usually impacts upon a solid concrete wall at a specified speed, but can also be vehicle-vehicle tests. SUV's have been singled out in these tests for a while, due to the high ride-height that they often have.
- Offset Tests, in which only part of the front of the car impacts with a barrier (vehicle). These are important, as impact forces (approximately) remain the same as with a frontal impact test, but a smaller fraction of the car is required to absorb all of the force. These tests are often realized by cars turning into oncoming traffic. In the U.S., this type of testing is done by the IIHS.
- Side collision Tests: these forms of accidents have a very significant likelihood of fatality, as cars don't have a significant crumple zone to absorb the impact forces before an occupant is injured.
- Rollover Tests which tests a car's ability (specifically the Pillar (car) holding the roof) to support itself in a dynamic impact. More recently dynamic rollover tests have been proposed as opposed to static crush testing (video).
- The moose test has been used in Sweden for decades to test how a certain vehicle, usually an automobile, acts when avoiding a sudden danger, such as a moose.
- Roadside hardware crash tests are used to ensure crash barrier and crash cushions will protect vehicle occupants from roadside hazards, and also to ensure that guard rails, sign posts, light poles and similar appurtenances do not pose an undue hazard to vehicle occupants.
Major providers
Data collection
Crash tests are conducted under rigorous scientific and safety standardisation. Each crash test is very expensive so the maximum amount of data must be extracted from each test. Usually, this requires the use of high-speed data-acquisition, at least one
tri-axial accelerometer and a crash test dummy, but often includes more.
Some organizations that conducts crash tests include Consumers Union for the magazine
Consumer Reports, and
Monash University department of
Civil Engineering, which routinely conducts crash tests for the purposes of
roadside barrier safety and design.
Consumer response
- In 1998, the Rover Metro#Rover 100 received a one-star Adult Occupant Rating in EuroNCAP crash tests; sales promptly collapsed and the 18-year-old design was quickly scrapped.
- In 2005 the Holden Barina made news in Europe and Australia by scoring only two stars in its crash test, resulting in lower sales and highlighting the influence of vehicle crashworthiness on a model's success in the marketplace. The result, and decision by Holden to release the vehicle into the Australian market, resulted in a considerable amount of negative publicity, with the Managing Director of Holden forced to publicly defend his product.
- The second generation Isuzu Trooper (1995–1997) models were rated "Not Acceptable" by Consumer Reports for their tendency to roll over during testing. After the report Trooper sales never recovered and two years later production ceased.
- Early A-Class production cars (W168) caused a single-vehicle accident under real world avoidance maneuvering (moose test). Having built their reputation on safety Mercedes-Benz immediately started a number of improvements, including the first automobile application of Electronic Stability Control, also known as DSC, ESP, TC, VSA, VDC, IVD, MSP, PCS and a number of others. This technology was initially standard equipment on most premium vehicles in the last decade, but is now becoming standard on more everyday vehicles. The National_Highway_Traffic_Safety_Administration has introduced a proposal to mandate Electronic Stability Control on all passenger vehicles in the US by 2012.
Crash testing programs
There are a number of crash test programs around the world dedicated to providing consumers with a source of comparitative information in relation to the safety performance of new and used vehicles. Examples of new car crash test programs include ANCAP, EuroNCAP and JapNCAP. Programs such as the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 provide consumers information on the safety performance of vehicles based on real world crash data.
See also
External links
- Train Crash Test - Slow motion
- Crash Testing - High Speed Video
- HowStuffWorks: crash testing
- Insurance Institute of Highway Safety
- Federal Highways Administration: Roadside Hardware
