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Vehicle Design and Visibility

Robert McDonald,IAG Research Centre

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IAG Research Centre

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Rear Visibility Index – Origins

• Media and government interest

around driveway deaths of children

• Anecdotal information that it was a

4WD (SUV) problem

• Investigation requested by our 3rd

party injury insurer

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Rear Visibility Index –

Testing Procedure

• Established criteria based on reputable studies

• Test object Height – 600mm (2yr old shoulder ht.)

• Commercial laser device at eye level

• Uses “H” point machine

• Average height driver

• Top selling vehicles

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Rear Visibility Index – Star Rating System

• Combination of visible area

and horizontal distance

• Takes into account additional

parking aids

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Test Results

1 Renault Clio Sport (3 Door Hatch) 3.97 4

2 Suzuki Ignis (3 Door Hatch) 4.96 4

3 Audi TT Roadster 5.80 3.5

4 Toyota Echo (3 Door Hatch) 5.80 3.5

5 MG-TF Convertible 6.02 3.5

6 Kia Sportage 6.08 3.5

7 Ford Focus (Hatch - CL) 6.12 3.5

8 Jaguar XJ8 - (Sedan) 6.20 3.5

9 Hyundai Getz (3 Door Hatch) 7.01 3.5

10 Mercedes Benz SL500 7.04 3.5

11 Holden Cruze (5 Door) 7.81 3.5

12 Nissan Pulsar (5 Door Hatch) 8.00 3.5

13 Subaru Forester 8.64 3

14 Peugeot 307 (5 Door Hatch) 9.18 3

15 Mazda 323 Astina 9.54 3

16 Volvo V70 XC 9.65 3

17 Toyota Corolla (Hatch) 10.08 3

18 Toyota Landcruiser (100 Series) 10.64 3

19 VW Polo (3 Door Hatch) 10.80 2.5

20 Nissan X-Trail 10.94 2.5

21 Toyota Hiace 11.13 2.5

22 Ford Falcon Wagon 11.61 2.5

23 Holden Rodeo (4X2 Crew Cab) 11.64 2.5

24 Hyundai Santa Fe 12.74 2.5

25 Holden Astra (5 Door Hatch) 13.20 2.5

26 VW Caravelle (1991) 13.56 2.5

27 Hyundai Terracan 13.94 2.5

28 Toyota Hilux (4X2 Cab Chassis) 14.11 2.5

29 Ford Transit Van 12.40 2

30 Daewoo Tacuma 12.50 2

31 Hyundai Trajet 13.06 2

32 Range Rover 13.96 2

33 Honda CR-V (Previous Model) 14.17 2

34 Ford Falcon (Sedan) 14.25 2

35 Toyota Landcruiser (80 Series) 15.06 2

Rank VehicleInvisible area m2 (up

to distance of 15m)

Star Rating

(out of 5)

36 Toyota Camry (2000) 15.44 2

37 Mitsubsihi Magna (Sedan) 17.52 2

38 Nissan Pulsar (Sedan) 15.65 1.5

39 VW Caravelle (2002) 15.96 1.5

40 Toyota Camry (2002 - No Spoiler) 16.10 1.5

41 Subaru Liberty RX (Sedan) 16.70 1.5

42 Mazda Premacy 17.08 1.5

43 VW Golf (5 Door Hatch) 17.12 1.5

44 Ford Focus (Sedan - Ghia) 18.16 1.5

45 Mercedes C-Class (Sedan) 19.03 1.5

46 Holden Commodore VY (Sedan) 21.17 1.5

47 Toyota Camry (2002 - With Spoiler) 21.33 1.5

48 Toyota Tarago 18.09 1

49 BMW 320i Wagon 18.11 1

50 Hyundai Accent (3 Door Hatch) 18.77 1

51 Toyota RAV4 (3 Door) 18.78 1

52 Nissan Patrol 20.11 1

53 Toyota Avensis 20.65 1

54 Kia Carnival 20.69 1

55 Holden Commodore (VS ute) 20.77 1

56 Mazda 6 (Sedan) 21.54 1

57 VW Passat 21.60 1

58 Hyundai Elantra (5 Door Hatch) 22.92 0.5

59 Honda CR-V (Current Model) 23.51 0.5

60 BMW 325ti (3 Door Coupe) 23.87 0.5

61 Holden Commodore (VX Wagon) 25.05 0.5

62 Mitsubishi Pajero 25.44 0.5

63 Mazda MPV 26.37 0.5

64 Holden Commodore (VX Sedan) 27.00 0

65 Toyota Prado 27.00 0

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Rear Visibility Index– Released to media in 2002

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Results – news media

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NSW Motor Accident Authority Education Campaign

• MAA Document

• Targeted at families and

new parents

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Insurance Website

• www.nrma.com.au/reversing

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Parking Sensors

• Many OE sensors too susceptible to side image which results in false alarms

• Aftermarket sensors offer variable placement and some are adjustable

• Usefulness only to prevent parking damage to vehicle

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Reversing Cameras

• Wide angle cameras mounted in rear of

vehicle (above rear bumper) are effective in

most situations in reducing rear blind spots

• Screens should be mounted as high as

possible and mirror reversed

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Aftermarket cameras and parking sensors

• Cost of both aftermarket parking sensors ($100)

and reversing cameras ($200) has fallen

dramatically

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Reversing Camera Status

• 23% now have camera standard

• 11% now optional

•c

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Results - car manufacturer marketing

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Rearward Visibility Issues Vehicle design

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Forward Visibility

• Modern cars pillars are significantly

stronger for crash safety.

• Major blind spot in many cars

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Forward Visibility Index – Testing Criteria

• Same parameters as Rear Visibility

• Test object Height – 600mm

• Average height driver

• Top selling vehicles

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Forward Visibility Index

• Combination of visible area and horizontal distance

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Forward Visibility

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Forward Visibility

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• Percentage of 360 degree view blocked calculated

• Range of Results – 19% - 39%

•c

360o Visibility

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ANCAP HAS BEEN CONDUCTINGPEDESTRIAN PROTECTION TESTSSINCE 2000

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• High – tech reversing cameras

• Guidelines and side cameras added

The Future?

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The Future?

• Modern AEB systems can detect people

•c

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Summary

• Modern vehicle design is going to

continue to interfere with visibility

• All modern vehicles have visibility issues

• Technology may offer partial solutions

• Building standards could help

• Driver behaviour modification

• Vehicle marketing/ buyer awareness