Euro NCAP changes vehicle safety tests with real-world ADAS assessments

Euro NCAP is fundamentally changing how it assesses vehicle safety. The organization is now testing ADAS systems not just in laboratories, but also in real-world road conditions.

Tests Hit the Road

The new methodology involves driving up to 2,000 km on various road types, from city streets to highways. Crucially, the tests are conducted in multiple countries to account for differences in infrastructure, road markings, and signage.

Vehicles are equipped with additional cameras and sensors that monitor driver assistance systems in real time.

No Pre-Determined Routes

Manufacturers are not informed of the specific test routes in advance. This prevents them from tuning systems for particular conditions, making the evaluation as close to real-world use as possible.

ADAS systems must function correctly under all circumstances, whether that means different types of road markings, dynamic speed limits, or variations in road signs across countries.

Mistakes Carry More Weight

Special attention is paid to false positives. For instance, a system might incorrectly detect driver fatigue or misread road markings. Such errors directly impact the final safety rating.

To achieve a top five-star rating, a vehicle must score at least 80 out of 100 points in each safety category. The new tests make this significantly harder to accomplish.

Overall, this means vehicle safety assessments are moving closer to real-life conditions, while requirements for electronic assistants are becoming noticeably stricter.