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Vehicle Safety Standards:
Improving Car Crashworthiness
This study, which is being carried out with Ergonomics
and Safety Research Ltd (ESRI),
at Loughborough
University, evaluates improvements in car crashworthiness in
the context of the UK government's commitment to reduce the
number of killed or seriously injured road users by 40 percent,
with an equivalent figure for children of 50 percent, by 2010 when
compared with the average for 1994-1998. The study assesses the
effectiveness of the Department
for Transport research programme between January 1990 and December
2002 in contributing to these policy aims and objectives. Specifically,
the study evaluates the contribution that Department for Transport
initiatives have made to the development and implementation of EU
front and side impact regulations and the EuroNCAP consumer test.
The evaluation framework includes:
- A review of policies and DfT actions, including
consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of the programme
in terms of both content and delivery. Where appropriate, recommendations
for improvements will be made.
- Quantification of casualty reduction and improvements
in occupant protection. The analysis will draw upon the National
Road Accident Database (STATS 19) and the UK in-depth accident
data base (CCIS). It will also be necessary to consider some exposure
data and this will be drawn from the National Travel Survey and
the Vehicle Licensing Statistics.
- Identification of stakeholder/public attitudes
and behaviour to car safety including the policy making and research
communities, car industry, and consumer representatives. This
part of the evaluation uses a conceptual model that is based on
theories of change and realistic evaluation, which seeks to trace
adaptation in the thinking and behaviour of people and/or institutions
over time. Relating changes in thinking and behaviour to legal/regulatory
changes will allow real policy effects to be mapped.
- Synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data
to evaluate impact, effectiveness and value for money of the Programme.
Sponsor
Department
for Transport
CRSP Project Team
Dr
Simon Roberts, Dr Judith Unell and Nicola Selby.
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