PreScan, madymo and vehil design and evaluation tools for integrated safety systems

Pre-Crash Systems (PCS) use environment sensors and electronic control functions to improve the effectiveness of passive safety devices by activating them before a collision occurs. In view of the autonomous character and high demands on reliability, dedicated design tools and methodologies are required. PreScan, MADYMO and VEHIL and their contribution to the design and evaluation process of PCS is presented. Results that can be obtained are illustrated by a PCS application with active braking and seatbelt pretensioning triggered by a forward-looking radar. They indicate that a significant reduction for some injury values seems feasible, without compromising on others.