Editing Crash test

{{Short description|Form of destructive testing}}
[[File:NHTSA Crash Test of the 2006 Honda Ridgeline.ogv|thumb|A crash test of the [[Honda Ridgeline]] by the [[NHTSA]]]]

[[File:CN12003.jpg|thumb|Frontal small-overlap crash test of a 2012 [[Honda Odyssey (North America)|Honda Odyssey]]]]
[[File:V10341P101.jpg|thumb|2018 [[Dodge Grand Caravan]] being struck by a mobile deformable barrier at 62 km/h]]
[[File:Honda Fit - Impact Still.jpg|thumb|2016 [[Honda Fit]] striking a wall head-on at 56 km/h]]
[[File:2017 Honda Ridgeline Crash Test-NHTSA.gif|thumb|Driver-side oblique crash test of a 2017 [[Honda Ridgeline]]]]
[[File:Jeep Liberty Rear Impact Test.png|thumb|[[Jeep Liberty]] undergoing routine impact testing at Chrysler's Proving Grounds]]
[[File:V06865P614.jpg|thumb|NHTSA research crash test involving two [[Ford Five Hundred]]s]]
[[File:Active Crew Restraint Demonstration.jpg|thumb|right|Full-scale crash test of various [[airbag]] technologies on an [[Bell AH-1 Cobra|AH-1G (Mod)]] helicopter]]
A '''crash test''' is a form of [[destructive testing]] usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in [[crashworthiness]] and [[crash compatibility]] for various modes of transportation (see [[automobile safety]]) or related systems and components.

== Types ==
* '''Frontal-impact tests''': which is what most people initially think of when asked about a crash test. Vehicles usually impact a solid [[concrete]] wall at a specified speed, but these can also be vehicle impacting vehicle tests. [[SUV]]s have been singled out in these tests for a while, due to the high ride-height that they often have.
* '''Moderate Overlap 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. This type of testing is done by the U.S.A. [[Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]] (IIHS), [[Euro NCAP]], [[Australasian New Car Assessment Program]] (ANCAP) and [[ASEAN NCAP]].
* '''Small Overlap tests''': this is where only a small portion of the car's structure strikes an object such as a pole or a tree, or if a car were to clip another car. This is the most demanding test because it loads the most force onto the structure of the car at any given speed. These are usually conducted at 15–20% of the front vehicle structure.
* '''[[Side collision|Side-impact]] tests''': these forms of accidents have a very significant likelihood of fatality, as cars do not have a significant [[crumple zone]] to absorb the impact forces before an occupant is injured.
*'''Pole-impact tests''': A difficult test which places a large amount of force on a small proportion on the side of the vehicle.
* '''[[Vehicle rollover|Roll-over]] tests''': which tests a car's ability (specifically the [[Pillar (car)|pillars]] holding the roof) to support itself in a dynamic impact. More recently, dynamic rollover tests have been proposed in lieu of static crush testing (video).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=37&did=1255 | title=Newly Developed Roof Crush Test Proves Existence of Safer Vehicles that can Withstand Rollover Crashes | publisher=The Center for Auto Safety | access-date=2007-06-07 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195208/http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=37&did=1255 | archive-date=2007-09-27 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* '''Roadside hardware crash tests''': are used to ensure [[crash barrier]]s 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.
* '''Old versus new''': Often an old and big car against a small and new car,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adac.de/Tests/Crash_Tests/Jubilaeumscrash/default.asp?ComponentID=193389&SourcePageID=8645 |title=Ford Fiesta Vs Ford Sierra |publisher=ADAC |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419004010/http://www.adac.de/Tests/Crash_Tests/Jubilaeumscrash/default.asp?ComponentID=193389&SourcePageID=8645 |archivedate=April 19, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite video | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3ygYUYia9I | title = Renault Modus Vs Volvo 940 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140216035021/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3ygYUYia9I | archivedate = February 16, 2014 }}</ref> or two different generations of the same car model. These tests are performed to show the advancements in crash-worthiness.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}
* '''Computer model''': Because of the cost of full-scale crash tests, engineers often run many [[crash simulation|simulated crash tests]] using computer models to refine their vehicle or barrier designs before conducting live tests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alba |first=Michael |date=2024-08-27 |title=Altair and Oasys team up for safety modeling, and more simulation news |url=https://www.engineering.com/altair-and-oasys-team-up-for-safety-modeling-and-more-simulation-news/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Engineering.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''Sled testing''': A cost-effective way of testing components such as airbags and seat belts is conducting sled crash testing. The two most common types of sled systems are reverse-firing sleds which are fired from a standstill, and decelerating sleds which are accelerated from a starting point and stopped in the crash area with a hydraulic ram. It can also be used to evaluate the [[Whiplash (medicine)|whiplash]] protection of a vehicle's [[Car seat|seat]].

<gallery>
File:B11127P029.jpg|A reverse-firing sled with a buck representing a conventional sedan prior to a run
File:CEF1602-05.jpg|Frontal moderate overlap crash test of a 2016 [[Toyota Tundra]]
File:CEN1707-10.jpg|Driver-side small overlap crash test of a 2017 [[Toyota Tacoma]]
File:CEP1713-07.jpg|Passenger-side small overlap crash test of a 2018 [[Kia Soul]]
File:CS16006-31.jpg|Side impact crash test of a 2016 [[Honda Fit]]
File:V10132P008.jpg|Side impact crash test of a 2018 [[Honda Odyssey (North America)|Honda Odyssey]]
File:V07443P002 (1).jpg|Rollover crash test of a 2006 [[Chevrolet Cobalt SS]].
File:V05161P017.jpg|Side-impact crash test of a 2002 [[Dodge Ram]] 1500 striking a 2004 [[Honda Accord]] mid-size sedan
File:V10044P006.jpg|Side pole impact crash test of a 2017 [[Lexus IS]]
File:NHTSA Front Crash Test-2006 Honda Ridgeline.jpg|Front full-width crash test of a 2006 [[Honda Ridgeline]]
File:V10027P015.jpg|Frontal full-width crash test of a 2017 [[Cadillac ATS-V]]
File:V08473P016.jpg|Side impact crash test of a 2014 [[Scion FR-S]]
File:V09911P014.jpg|Rear offset impact of a 2015 [[Ford F-150]]
File:V09727P441.jpg|Passenger-side oblique crash test of a 2015 [[Chevrolet Malibu]]
</gallery>

== Major providers==
[[File:Fiat 500 Crash Test (Torino Museo Nazionale Automobile ).jpg|thumb|[[Fiat 500 (2007)|Fiat 500 del 2007]] in  Euro NCAP  crash test (Torino museum)]]
<!-- To edit this table go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:NCAPs_list -->
{{NCAPs list}}

* [[ARCAP|Auto Review Car Assessment Program]] (ARCAP)
* [[Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club]] (ADAC) in Germany
* [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]] (NHTSA) in the United States, specifically the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) and New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

== Data collection ==
[[File:POLO1a.JPG|thumb|Crash test graphics]]
[[File:V04968P052.jpg|thumb|[[Crash test dummy]] left paraplegic after a severe oblique crash test inside a 1997 [[Geo Metro]]]]

Crash tests are conducted under rigorous [[scientific]] and [[safety]] [[standardisation|standards]]. 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 [[wikt:triaxial|triaxial]] [[accelerometer]] and a [[crash test dummy]], but often includes more.

Some organizations that conduct crash tests include [[Calspan]], an independent test laboratory in Buffalo, NY. As a result of the capabilities and expertise at Calspan, Calspan has been awarded 5 year contracts by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to execute for the NHTSA FMVSS No. 214, Side Impact Protection Compliance Testing, FMVSS No. 301 Fuel System Integrity, and FMVSS No. 305 Electric Powered Vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection vehicle crash tests. Calspan also holds the NHTSA contracts for executing New Car Assessment Program crash tests.

Also, the [[Monash University]] department of [[civil engineering]] routinely conducts crash tests for the purposes of [[roadside barrier]] safety and design.

== Consumer response ==
* In 1998 the [[Rover Metro#Rover 100|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 [[Daewoo Kalos]] made news in Europe and Australia by scoring only two stars in its crash test, resulting in lower sales and demonstrating the influence of vehicle crashworthiness on a model's success in the [[marketplace]]. The result for [[Holden]] in Australia, who retailed the Kalos under the [[Holden Barina]] name, resulted in a considerable amount of negative [[publicity]], with the managing director of Holden forced to publicly defend the vehicle.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.caradvice.com.au/250/holden-barina-2006-poor-safety-slows-sales/ | title = Holden Barina 2006 Poor Safety Slows Sales | publisher= CarAdvice | first=Alborz | last=Fallah | date = 14 June 2006}}</ref>
* 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.

== 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 [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]]'s NCAP, the [[Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]], [[Australasian New Car Assessment Program]], [[EuroNCAP]] and [http://www.crashtest.com/explanations/osa/japncap.htm JapNCAP]. Programs such as the [https://web.archive.org/web/20081014091318/http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/ucsr Used Car Safety Ratings] provide consumers information on the safety performance of vehicles based on real world crash data.

In 2020, EuroNCAP introduces a ''mobile progressive deformable barrier (MPDB) test'' first experimented on the Toyota Yaris.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euroncap.com/fr/m%C3%A9dia/communiqu%C3%A9s-de-presse/safety-rebooted-new-toyota-yaris-sets-the-benchmark-for-small-family-car-safety/|title = Euro NCAP &#124; 500 - Server Error}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Air safety]]
* [[Automobile safety]]
* [[Automobile safety rating]]
* [[Car accident]]
* [[Crash test dummy]]
* [[Crashworthiness]]
* European New Car Assessment Programme ([[Euro NCAP]])
* [[Head injury criterion]]
* [[Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]]
* [[Moose test]]
* [[Out of position (crash testing)]]
* [[NASA]] [[Lunar Landing Research Facility|Impact Dynamics Research Facility]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Crash tests}}

* [https://www.araiindia.com/services/department-and-laboratories/automotive-safety Automotive Safety and Bharat NCAP]

* [http://auto.howstuffworks.com/crash-test.htm How Crash Testing Works] at [[HowStuffWorks]]
* [https://www.iihs.org/ Insurance Institute of Highway Safety]
* [http://www.euroncap.com EuroNCAP]
* [http://www.motorward.com/2014/03/need-know-crash-tests Motorward: All you need to know about crash tests]

{{Product testing}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crash Test}}
[[Category:Mechanical tests]]
[[Category:Transport safety]]
[[Category:Product testing]]