The Project
The ASSESS project is structured in 5 technical work packages (click on the WP title below to go directly to the WP for more information and results):
- WP1 - Definition of targets and final verification
- WP2 - Safety Impact assessment and cost-economic assessment in ASSESS
WP3 - Behavioural aspects
- WP4 - Pre-crash performance
WP5 - Crash performance
ASSESS mobilises the European research community and car industry to develop a relevant set of test and assessment methods applicable to a wide range of integrated vehicle safety systems. Methods will be developed for driver behavioural aspects, pre crash sensing performance and crash performance under conditions influenced by pre crash driver and vehicle actions. The gained know-how will be implemented in proposals for test and assessment procedures that will be evaluated on the basis of actual systems currently offered to the market. ASSESS aims to stimulate the introduction of new crucial technologies in vehicles to further reduce road fatalities and injuries to car occupants in Europe and to make the traffic environment safer for road users. The project also aims to increase the level of competitiveness of the European automobile industry; safety is a proven selling point. This is underlined by a substantial involvement of European car industry (OEM's and suppliers) in this project and their willingness to provide systems and relevant know-how to this project.
Specific project goals to develop harmonized and standardized assessment procedures and related tools for selected integrated safety systems. Procedures will be developed for driver behaviour evaluation, pre crash system performance evaluation, crash performance evaluation and socio economic assessment.
To create acceptance and accelerate the implementation of the results in test and assessment procedures for type approval and consumer rating purposes, an advisory board consisting of leading EU OEMs, EuroNCAP and UTAC will be consulted on an annual basis or more often when needed. The direct involvement of EuroNCAP will raise the public awareness of the benefits of these new advanced safety systems by means of easy understandable rating systems.
To provide and overview of legal barriers that obstruct the introduction of such systems and the potential socio-economic benefits of selected systems.
| Safety function | Effect on fatalities (1) | Effect on injuries (1) | Expected penetration rate 2010 (low/high) | Expected penetration rate 2020 (low/high) |
| Pre-crash & collision mitigation systems (APALACI) | -19,6% | -14,3% | 0,0/0,0 % |
10,0/25,0 % |
| Left-turn assistance (INTERSAFE) |
-0,6% | -1,5% | 0,0/0,0 % | 0,3/0,5 % |
| Hot spot warning & speed limit warning (MAPS&ADAS) |
-13,1% | -8,2% | 2,0/3,0 % | 30,0/46,0 % |
| Active lane keeping support (SAFELANE) |
-13,5% | -9,5% | 1,1/2,9 % | 6,0/21,0 % |
| Distance keeping & speed advice (SASPENCE) |
-6,5% |
-3,8% | 0,01/0,01 % | 4,0/13,0 % |
1. TRACE, TRaffic Accident Causation in Europe, FP6-IST Project 027763
The European Union (E.U., 27 countries) is home to about 493 million inhabitants and over 270 million motorised vehicles. 1.8 million personal injury in road accidents and 43,000 fatalities occur every year, which is now higher than in the U.S.A. (42 000) which has a noticeably lower population, 290 million inhabitants and a smaller vehicle fleet (230 million motorised vehicles)1. In most countries, economic losses due to road accidents represent 1 % or 2 % of GNP. Although the number of road fatalities has declined by more than 17% since 2001, greater improvements are required if the European Commission’s target of halving the number of deaths on the roads by 2010 is to be met (2).
2. In EuropeMid-term review of the European Commission's 2001 transport white paper, Keep Europe moving, Sustainable mobility for our continent
