EVOLUTION OF VEHICLE CRASHWORTHINESS AS INFLUENCED BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is charged with the responsibility for reducing losses from motor vehicle crashes on U.S. highways. One agency of the DOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), sets standards for highway design; another agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sets standards for motor vehicle safety performance; and both agencies implement a variety of highway and traffic safety programs. This paper presents an overview of safety technologies introduced into motor vehicle designs that have been realized as a result of actions taken by the NHTSA in meeting its safety mandate. This is followed by a summary of the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and a summary of the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).