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 bar

Bull bar

A bullbar is a device fitted to the front of a vehicle to protect it and its passengers from damage in a collision with an animal. They vary considerably in size and form, and are usually made of welded steel or aluminium tubing, and, more recently, moulded polycarbonate and polyethylene materials...

s 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.

Naming

The terminology "Frontal Protection System" derives from three terms:

1. Frontal, adj. Of, relating to, directed toward or situated at the front.
2. Protection, n. The action of protecting or the state of being protected, or a thing that protects.
3. System, n. A set of things working together as a mechanism or a network.

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 carried out by MIRA

Motor Industry Research Association

MIRA Ltd, formerly known as the Motor Industry Research Association, is a limited company based near Nuneaton in Hinckley and Bosworth, Leicestershire in the United Kingdom, which provides product engineering, research, testing, information and certification services to the automotive...

, one of the UK's leading testing-facilities, has proved that the latest development of a vehicle Frontal Protection System can make many 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 large 4x4 vehicle, an FPS could save lives and reduce serious pedestrian-injuries.

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