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Active safety systems such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) have been clearly demonstrated to increase vehicle safety in critical dynamic maneuvers. With such a great potential for reducing road accidents, the ESC system is being more widely fitted all over the world. As a result and in parallel with regulation initiatives, consumer organizations are expanding their assessment capabilities from passive towards active safety. Since 2008, ESC fitment promotion has been the first step for worldwide consumer organizations such as ANCAP (Australia), NASVA (Japan) and Euro NCAP (Europe). However, a major step has now been taken by Euro NCAP with the inclusion of the first active safety test in the overall Euro NCAP safety assessment programme. As of 2011, Euro NCAP performs the so called “Dwell sine” test on all cars that meet the ESC fitment requirement.

The dynamic safety concept comprises all the active safety vehicle characteristics supporting the driver in critical dynamic maneuvers. Dynamic safety is therefore a major active safety requirement with great potential for reducing road accidents throughout the world. It is the combination of not only active chassis systems (ESC, ABS...) but also passive chassis systems (tires, suspension...) which determines the overall dynamic safety performance of the vehicle. This paper describes a set of test procedures which cover with only a few specific maneuvers the widest possible range of critical dynamic situations. Beyond a simple pass/fail result, these test procedures will be able to quantify and therefore compare the dynamic safety performance. These results could be used by the suitable organizations to define a rating system to thereby increase public awareness of the dynamic safety performance of vehicles on the market.