The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is set to introduce a series of new test regimes next year designed to find whether vehicles have any safety shortcomings in the event of a flood.
The bulk of the testing will centre around demonstrating how “new vehicles can allow occupants to more easily escape a submerged vehicle, or rescuers to access trapped occupants”.
Cars will also be tested according to whether they raise further dangers for occupants or potential rescuers when met with flood conditions, and whether vital electrical functions will continue to operate for a reasonable length of time.
“Vehicles trapped in flood waters or those that find themselves in a lake, river or other body of water are a danger to their occupants and present difficulties for first responders,” said ANCAP, in a statement issued to Drive.
“ANCAP will assess whether car doors are able to be opened without battery power, and electric windows remain functional and able to be opened for up to 10 minutes after submergence.”
The news comes as New South Wales continues to recover from devastating floods earlier this year, which claimed the lives of 22 people.
Car manufacturers cannot ignore the tests, as their results will influence the final safety rating verdict of each vehicle tested.
Flood testing is one of several areas set to be revised as part of ANCAP’s 2023 changes.
Its testing of active collision avoidance safety tech is set to expand to include whether vehicle reverse autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems can spot children and whether vehicles can spot cyclists approaching as occupants open their doors.
“Vehicles will need to be fitted with an AEB system capable of braking for a motorcycle in intersection turning scenarios, and where a motorcycle crosses in front of a car,” said ANCAP.
“Vehicles will also be tested for their ability to detect and prevent side-swipe-type crashes with a motorcycle through more sophisticated active lane support systems.”
Indeed, AEB technology is set to become a big part of ANCAP’s testing regime. Whether a vehicle’s AEB system can successfully prevent a head-on collision or a crashes at intersections will also soon be evaluated.
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