Abstract:

Test items and protocols of NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) assessment systems in many
countries are upgraded accordingly recent years, since road-condition varieties and safety-technology advances
have been decreasing the discrimination abilities of vehicle safety performance by the initial NCAP systems.
This paper discusses the history, basic characteristics and the present status of the NCAP of some countries
and points out the development tendency. Some primary test items such as the frontal impact, side impact,
rollover test, active safety assistance and overall assessment were analyzed from the angles of the test form,
impact velocity, dummy positioning and assessment criteria. The results show that active-safety technology
will be further strengthened, with test items being more comprehensive and rigorous and different NCAP rating
systems being globalized and normalized in the future. Therefore, manufactures should perform prospective
study to meet more critical vehicle-safety standards. These results can provide references for upgrading the
protocols of C-NCAP, the NCAP in China.

Key words: vehicle safety, crash test, New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), assessment system