Arkady SCHWARZ: Safety ' 2004 [ WIN ]

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B yezopasnost' of one or other model or another automobile - one of the decisive factors, which determine its popularity and success on the market. Creation and the perfection of construction and technology of production, and also different technical systems, which increase safety - the most important direction of the activity of the leading auto-companies of peace. The final goal: to reduce to minimum travmiruyemost' and mortality of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

V emergencies on the roads OF THE USA yearly perish 41-42 thousand people, in this case on Saturdays - two times more than on Tuesdays or media. Injuries with the emergencies obtain 3,2 mln. people. 63% of those be killeden do not use belts safety. Alcohol is the reason 41% emergencies. Therefore it is always useful to resemble commonplace truth : you do not sit down yourselves for the control after drinking bout. Especially this should be remembered readers of old age, all whose metabolic processes are retarded.

Safety of automobile has two components - active and passive. Active safety includes different adaptations and devices, which decrease the probability of hit of automobile into emergency . Passive restraint of automobile determine the construction of machine, device and the adaptations, which decrease travmiruyemost' of driver and passengers with the collisions and the emergencies.

V whole, safety of contemporary passenger automobiles it is track link is sufficiently high. Almost each yr take root the new and more advanced devices, which increase safety. Are improved the methods of its estimation. Creation and the realization of the new technical solutions stimulates a constant stiffening of requirements for the safety. Accordingly, the cost of automobile grows.

Several significant dates:

- 1886 Germany. Karl Benz built the first automobile.

- 1895. In THE USA with the emergency of automobile the first driver perished.

- 1899 the first technical passport and the first examinations to control of automobile (France).

- 1902 the first limitation of the velocity in several cities OF THE USA - 8 mil'/chas.

- 1909 the limitation of the velocity of automobile in 34 states OF THE USA - 25 mil'/chas.

- 1922 the first vseamerikanskaya conference on the safety of motion.

- 1968 the required application of belts of safety.

- 1978. In Germany the production of the system of the anti-blocking of wheels is begun.

- 1997 is accepted law about the required establishment of the air cushions of safety by all sold in THE USA automobiles.

- 1997 - 1998. In Germany is begun the production of the system, which removes slippage during the abrupt deceleration and the contact from the place (T.rachtion Control) and, on its basis, the system, which ensures the stability of automobile with the sharp turns at the high speed (Stability Control).

- 2002 - 2003 the first night vision devices and adaptive cruise- control on the models of luxes.

With the development and the setting to the production of each model its creators carry out many tests, so-called kr3w- tests, which imitate the different types of possible collisions. For the comparative estimation of machines in THE USA, Europe, Japan and some other countries the kr3w- tests are carried out by the independent organizations. In THE USA the tests, financed of federal budget, are accomplished by a state national administration of safety of road motion ( National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-NHTSA). Insurance companies pay the tests, conducted by the insurance institute of safety of road motion ( Insurance Institute for Highway Safety-IIHS).

The equipment and the procedures used are regulated by the state and international standards, which in the course of time change and are improved. Thus, Yevr.osoyuz published the special directive, which forbids since 2005 sale of passenger automobiles, minivenov and was track link, not passed certification testing for limitation of damages with the collisions (thus far - with the speeds to 40 km/h) with the pedestrians. Accordingly, on many brands of machines a change of constructing of forward section, cowling and bumpers is in prospect. By rapid rates occurs the development of external air cushions. Within the next few years in THE USA into the enumeration of required tests will enter the index of torsional stiffness, which will require change of constructing of body and technology of assembling many series models.

With the kr3w- tests, conducted NHTSA, are bought anonymous two automobiles of one model directly from the dilerskoy area. To the seats are seated the mannequins, in which in the different places on the head, the breast and the feet are fastened different sensors; then mannequins fasten to the seat by the belts of safety. Automobiles with the aid of remote control are accelerated to the given speed. One automobile is used for the imitation of the frontal collision with the impact about the rigid nondeformable barrier at speed 35 mil'/chas ( full-frontal test ). Another machine beat in two places at the angle of 63 degrees by the structure being deformed, fixed on the cart with a total weight of 1370 kg, which moves at a rate of 38,5 mil'/chas ( side-impact test ). The surface, which achieves lateral impact, is covered with the material, which imitates the front of automobile. Lateral impact is carried out for all machines by the device of one and the same mass; therefore heavy machines occur under the more favorable conditions. Results of tests should be used for the comparative estimation of the automobiles of close weight (one category).

With the frontal kr3w- test, conducted IIHS, automobile at speed 40 mil'/chas is struck by the side, where is located driver, against the barrier being deformed, which is turned together with the machine, increasing the zone of the deformation of the latter (displaced frontal impact, o.ffset-frontal test ). Approximately according to the same diagram are conducted kr3w- tests, also, in other countries. In this case they can have some systematic differences.

According to the data of sensors are visual, experienced experts thoroughly analyze nature and value of the injuries, which can obtain driver and front passenger with the frontal collision of two machines, front and rear passengers - with the lateral impact. Experts analyze and are evaluated also the deformation of salon and the displacement of the steering column inside the salon, the damage of doors and the work of locks, the effectiveness of the belts of safety and air cushions and so forth on the basis of the noted destruction of automobile and gravity of the possible injuries of driver and passengers is given general estimation of the tested concrete version (trim- Line) of model. The tests of the machines, produced many years in a row hearth by one stamp, regularly are repeated. Detailed information according to the results of tests of hundreds of models in recent years is located on sites www.nhtsa.dot.gov and www.highwaysafety.org.

General estimation of the sums of kr3w- test is given, predominantly, along the five-scale system. Minimum destruction and the possible injuries - the estimation of 5 marks, significant potential injuries - estimation is is 1 mark. In a number of cases for the clarity word mark they substitute by asterisk. The results of kr3w- test NHTSA with the rigid frontal and of kr3w- test IIHS with the displaced impact can not coincide.

V 1985, when were begun tests NHTSA, good estimations obtained 30 machines from 94 those tested. The overwhelming majority of models with the certification kr3w- tests is evaluated positively since 2001. So that it would be possible to reveal the differences, gradually are enlarged and are complicated test conditions. For example, since 2003, instead of one mannequin, which corresponds according to the sizes and by the weight to mean statistical man, are used five mannequins - man, women even three children of different age. Air cushions are evaluated with different positions of mannequins.

In connection with the fact that yearly more than one-and-a-half thousand people perishes from the fires, which appear as a result of the pouring of gasoline with the impact from behind, NHTSA stiffen the procedure of the corresponding kr3w- test. Straight beam is substituted by the profile, similar to the forward section of the automobile, and impact velocity rises. The estimation of the quantity of fuel, which was spilled for the road during five minutes after impact, and the speeds of the pouring of fuel during 25 min after collision, is introduced.

For orienting millions of subscribers the experts of periodical Consumer Reports propose the generalized rating of safety, determined on the basis of obtained by them data and results of official kr3w- tests. The rating of 5 marks corresponds to estimation excellently, 4 marks - very well, 3 marks - it is good, 2 marks - satisfactorily, 1 mark - it is bad. By periodical is simultaneously given estimation of active (work of brakes, controllability under the extreme conditions, uskoryaemost', armchair and the position of driver, survey) and to passive ( protection with the emergency according to the results of kr3w- tests NHTSA and IIHS) safety of this model also according to the five-scale scale.

In 2004 in the category of small models ( Small Cars) of 12 of those tested the highest estimation - in Honda Civic EX, Volkswagen Golf TDI, Volkswagen Jetta GLS, Ford Focus, Mini Cooper, Toyota Corolla. At the last place with the estimation of active safety of 3 marks and passive restraints of 1-2 marks - Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cavalier LS.

In the sector of the medium-sized sedans ( Family Cars) , of 20 models best estimators (active safety of 4-5 marks and passive of 5 marks) - in Mazda 6 , Volkswagen Passat GLX, Honda Accord EX, Toyota Camry XLE, Nissan Altima 3,5 SE. Last four places with the estimation of active safety of 3 marks (good) and passive of 4 marks (very well) - in Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Kia Optima, Saturn L300.

Among 18 models of large and sport- sedans the best estimation (active and passive restraint of 5 marks) - in Lexus IS300, Mercedes- benzo C-class, Audi A4, estimation 5 and 4 marks - in Saab 9-5, BMW e-.Seriyes, Lincoln LS, Lexus ES330, Jaguar X -Type. It should be noted that in this category (cost of each model not below 30 thousand dol..) there is not one stamp, whose passive restraint would be below 4 marks. The minimum estimation of active safety, 3 marks - in Mercury Grand Marquis, Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car, R.ontiach Bonneville, Buick LeSabre Volvo S60.

Increased in comparison with 2002 and 2003 a quantity of models, which have the very good (4 marks) and excellent (5 marks) estimations of active and passive restraint, and also outstanding brake systems and controllability under the extreme conditions. American and Korean models on the safety in the majority of the cases be inferior close to them in the weight and technical characteristics Japanese and German. Should be noted the high safety evaluation all brand Volkswagen. Apparently, this is one of the basic factors, which determine not bad demand in THE USA on VW Passat and VW Jetta, being inferior on the reliability with the prolonged operation to Japanese and many American models.

In the system of estimations in question small and average extra-roads builder according to the active safety be inferior to the passenger sedans. Only one model, Toyota Rav-4 obtained the estimation of active safety of 5 marks. 4 marks for the active and 5 for the passive restraint - in Subaru Forester, Saturn Vue, Honda Element, Mitsubishi Outlander, Lexus RX300, Chrysler Pacifica and Nissan Murano . These models are created into the latter several years with the carrying body of high-strength steel and the amplifying elements. Lowest estimations (3 and 3 marks) - in extra-roads builder on cargo frame Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Pontiac Aztek and Jeep Grand Cherokee . Nissan Xterra it obtained for the active safety only of 2 marks.

Miniveny as the category of automobiles on the active safety be inferior to other. Of 9 tested models there is not one with the estimation of active safety of 5 marks. Only Ma.zda MPV obtained 4 marks. 5 marks for the passive restraint in Honda Odyssey EX, Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey, Nissan Quest and Toyota Sienna . In Chevrolet Venture LS and Pontiac Montana - on three marks.

Models with the highly placed center of gravity are more inclined to the tilting. To THE USA to 1600 thousand head-on collisions 800 thousand emergencies because of the lateral impact and 200 thousand tiltings are fallen. In 2002. 61% of tiltings of sport- specialists it led to the lethal outcome with 45% in pick-ups and 22% - in passenger models. In all in the past year in THE USA with the tilting of machines it perished about 11 thousand adult and children. Therefore the stability of automobile in recent years pay special attention.

Depending on the probability of tilting specialists NHTSA evaluate automobiles also according to the five-scale scale. 5 marks - in the models, which have the probability of tilting with the critical situations (break of casing, slippery or iced road, sharp turnings at the high speed so forth.) less than 10 %. 4 marks - in the automobiles, which have the probability of inversion 10-20%. The overwhelming majority of passenger models has an estimation of 4 marks. Some, for example, Honda Accord, have 5 marks. During the estimation of 3 marks, the probability of inversion - 20-30%, with 2 marks - 30-40%, 1 mark - the probability of inversion is more than 40%. The majorities of sport- specialists, minivenov and pick-ups are evaluated according to this characteristic into 2 marks. On 3 marks - in Ford Escape, Honda Cr- cr-v, Lexus RX300, Toyota RAV4 .

Since 2004 the general engineering estimation of the probability of tilting will be supplemented by dynamic tests employing the procedure "fishhook", which foresees passage at the different speeds of a series of the sharp turns.

For the rough estimate of the arrangement of the center of gravity I recommend to use very simple index - the ratio of the height of automobile to its width. The less it is, automobile is steadier. For example, in sport- specialists on the cargo frame of type Jeep Grand Cherokee - 0,95-1,1, in the family sedans ( Toyota Camry, Honda Accord) and the sport- sedans ( Audi A8, Mercedes- benzo S -Series ) - 0,75-0,8, in sporivnykh sleeping compartment and rodsterov ( Ferrary, Porsche ) - 0,55-0.7.

To bezuslovny.e leaders on the safety - the model of luxes. Expensive models are usually first equipped with effective electronic and other systems. For example, Lexus GX470 has 8 air cushions, while Mercedes- benzo S -class - 12, including curtains lateral and protecting head of driver and passengers.

With the sufficiently high level of safety of contemporary automobile motor vehicle constructors continue to conduct the active search for the new effective technical solutions. But, whatever there were construction and technical equipment of automobile, the major factor of safety - driver himself, his qualification, experience and observance of all rules of road motion. Statistics shows that 80% of emergencies it would be possible to avoid or to facilitate, if driver had in all for second more than time for evaluating of situation and proper response. Therefore, when you got tired or reaction was braked because of other factors, you do not chase machine and you be especially attentive and careful. If it tends to the sleep, you will stop and will have a nap .

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