BHARAT NCAP
1. Context
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has rolled out an indigenous star-rating system for crash testing cars under which vehicles will be assigned between one to five stars indicating their safety in a collision. Called the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), the rating system will be voluntary and will come into effect from October 1, 2023.
2. Bharat NCAP
Program Focus: Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) assesses car safety through crash testing, targeting passenger vehicles with up to eight seats (excluding the driver) and a gross weight under 3,500 kg.
Testing Standard: Tests follow Automotive Industry Standard 197. Only the base model of a variant is tested.
Rating System: Cars receive a 1 to 5-star safety rating based on adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, and safety assist technologies.
Test Parameters:
- Frontal Offset Test: Vehicle at 64 kmph, 40% overlap with a deformable barrier.
- Side Impact Test: Vehicle at 50 kmph for side impact evaluation.
- Pole-Side Impact Test: The vehicle crashed sideways into a rigid pole at 29 kmph.
Voluntary Participation: While voluntary, some cases require testing, like popular base models (over 30,000 units sold) or models recommended by the Ministry of Road Transport for safety reasons.
Manufacturer Response: 30 car models offered for testing, manufacturers undisclosed.
Objective: Empower consumers with safety information, and boost demand for safer cars.
Road Safety Concerns in India:
- High Road Fatalities: India accounts for 10% of global road crash deaths (1.5 lakh annually) with only 1% of the world's vehicles.
- Economic Impact: Road crashes cost 5-7% of India's GDP annually, per the World Bank.
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Image Source: The Hindu
3. Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP Connection: Safer Car Testing
- Bharat NCAP Protocol: Testing methods of Bharat NCAP are based on Global NCAP's framework, an initiative by the U.K.-based NGO "Towards Zero Foundation."
- Global Cooperation: Global NCAP serves as a platform for collaboration among new car assessment programs globally, including the U.S., which has had crash testing since 1978.
4. Safer Cars for India Campaign (2014):
- Initiated by Towards Zero Foundation.
- First independent crash tests in India evaluated models like Suzuki-Maruti Alto 800, Tata Nano, Ford Figo, Hyundai i10, and Volkswagen Polo.
- Most models scored zero stars at 64 km/h, emphasizing safety concerns.
- Suzuki-Maruti Swift without airbags also scored zero stars; a version with airbags in Latin America scored three stars, showcasing potential improvement.
Results and Improvements:
- Over 50 test results published for the Indian market.
- Tata achieved India's first 5-star car rating in 2018.
- Manufacturers now strive for 4 and 5-star ratings, promoting safety in marketing.
- Fewer zero-star models in the Indian market due to increased safety efforts.
5. Bharat NCAP Launch and Road Safety Regulations:
- Bharat NCAP launch follows recent road safety regulations.
- Regulations include mandatory dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system, seatbelt reminder, and reverse parking sensors.
6. Enhancing India's Crash Testing Capability for Bharat NCAP:
- Capability Development Needed: India must enhance its crash testing abilities and knowledge for effective implementation of Bharat NCAP.
- Injury Analysis System: Utilizing software linked to dummies in cars to assess injury nature and extent for score analysis is crucial.
7. Global Alignment:
- Expanding Testing Parameters: Bharat NCAP should align with global standards by broadening testing criteria.
- Examples from Other Countries:
- U.S. NCAP: Includes a roll-over test to assess vehicle tipping risk in severe maneuvers.
- Japan's NCAP: Covers aspects like electric shock protection post-collision, neck injury protection, seatbelt reminders, pedestrian protection tech, and preventive systems like emergency braking, lane departure prevention, etc.
8. Way Forward
- Develop crash testing capabilities and expertise, including analyzing injuries through software-linked dummies.
- Align Bharat NCAP with global standards: Expand testing parameters like the U.S. NCAP's roll-over test and Japan's focus on post-collision electric shock protection, neck injury protection, and more.
9. Conclusion
Bharat NCAP signifies a significant stride towards vehicle safety in India. By fostering better-informed consumer choices and aligning with global benchmarks, it seeks to address road fatalities and enhance road safety.
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For Prelims: New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Bharat NCAP Protocol, and Safer Cars for India Campaign (2014). For Mains: 1. Discuss the significance and evolution of the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) in India's efforts towards enhancing road safety and vehicle standards. (250 words). |
Source: The Hindu
