Frontal Protection System
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A Frontal Protection System (FPS) is a device fitted to the front end of a vehicle to protect both pedestrians and cyclists who are involved in the unfortunate event of a front end collision with a vehicle.
After public concerns about the safety of Bull bars led to governmental pressure on SUV and 4x4 vehicle manufacturers, the Transport Research Laboratory developed a series of tests designed to ensure that minimum safety standards are met on vehicles fitted with them. This test has now become embodied within European Directive 2005/66/EC coming into force in May 2007.
Effectively outlawing traditional metal fabricated Bull Bars; the new legislation has led to the development of more pedestrian friendly products. Various manufacturers have undertaken development using softer, energy absorbing materials.
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[edit] Naming
The terminology "Frontal Protection System" derives from three terms:
- Frontal, adj. Of, relating to, directed toward or situated at the front.
- Protection, n. The action of protecting or the state of being protected, or a thing that protects.
- System, n. A set of things working together as a mechanism or a network.
[edit] Operation
An FPS attaches to the front of a vehicle like a bull bar, but is made of a technical composite of energy-absorbing materials. The composite technology offers an interim solution to vehicle designers, assisting them to meet EC Directive 2003/102/EC Phase 2.
Testing recently[when?] carried out by MIRA, one of the UK's leading testing-facilities, has proved that the latest[when?] development of a vehicle Frontal Protection System can make many[which?] 4x4 vehicles safer in the event of front-end collisions with pedestrians or cyclists. Calculations based on these tests show that if fitted to a current[as of?] large 4x4 vehicle, an FPS could save lives and reduce serious pedestrian-injuries.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- http://www.frontalprotectionsystems.eu
- European Directive
- Vehicle Certification Authority (VCA)
- Department of transport
- Transport Research Laboratory (TRA)
- EuroNCAP
- RAC Foundation
- Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
- Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (Thatcham)
- TUV International UK
