TNO studied via simulations and other means several potential measures to save cyclists’ lives during impacts with passenger vehicles. The most promising option studied was a so-called windshield airbag, an airbag attached to the outside of a car that covers the windshield completely during an accident. Study results show that such an airbag could significantly increase cyclist safely. In addition, pedestrians would also be safer.
Based onTNO studies, several stakeholders –such as the Dutch Ministry of Transport, R&D companies, airbag manufacturers, the Dutch Cyclist’s Union and several insurance companies- will cooperate in the further development and implementation of windshield airbags in order to protect all Vulnerable Road Users; i.e. pedestrians and cyclists. In response to a commission by the Dutch Ministry of Transport, TNO has developed a plan for the pre-development of a windshield airbag.

Windshield airbags

Several airbag manufacturers have developed a prototype windshield airbag. For example, the APROSYS project proposed covering the lower part of the windshield for the protection of pedestrians only. These prototype airbags and the related sensor systems should be improved in order to fully benefit cyclists. An essential part of this safety system´s development is the sensor system because the detection of cyclists is more challenging than the detection of pedestrians.
Cyclists travel at a higher speed and they maneuver more unpredictably. In the future, this sensor system and decision logic can also aid the development of systems such as automatic braking, for which an even higher degree of reliability of the sensor system is required. TNO is working with stakeholders on the further development of these airbags. Our ultimate goal is to introduce them in the vehicle fleet within 5 years.

Plan of approach

The main steps of the work plan 'Windshield airbag development' are:

• A study to determine the potential effectiveness of a windshield airbag to protect all Vulnerable Road Users, in comparison to other solutions such as “Brake Assist” or “Pedestrian-only” airbags.
• Set up specification of the airbag system, including the sensing part, a sensor field test and final system evaluation.
• System pre-development, by involved suppliers and car manufacturers, of a prototype demonstrator to prove the feasibility and reliability of the airbag and sensor system.
• Performing a sensor field test in a crowded urban area. The sensor field test is planned to be performed in Amsterdam, where a lot of cyclists and pedestrians are in the traffic. It is an ideal test environment for the sensor system and decision logic.
• System evaluation, using the Beyond NCAP protocol.
• Dissemination of the project progress and results enabling a wide spread implementation of this new airbag.

TNO activities

The Dutch Ministry of Transport has requested TNO to contribute to to the first step of the plan. The approach will be executed by TNO, the Dutch Ministry of Transport, the Cyclists’ Union and Achmea in the Netherlands and Autoliv in Sweden. It is possible that other manufactures and organizations will join the group at a later stage.

The project had its official kick-off meeting on September 10th, 2009. The main results of step 1 will be available early next year. The first prototype windshield airbags, to protect cyclists and pedestrians, will be available for evaluation in 2011.