HGVs (Heavy Goods Vehicle, GVWR >3,5t) are involved in a large share of all serious and fatal accidents. Among these, about 30% are accidents involving VRUs (Vulnerable Road User). This study is aimed at retrospectively investigating the theoretical potential of HGV-based safety systems to save VRU lives. The Swedish Transport Administration (STA) carries out in-depth investigations and keeps records of all traffic related, fatal accidents on Swedish roads in a restricted database. This database was queried for relevant cases between 2015 and 2020. This study was carried out to support in the prioritization of introduction of safety systems. 

The STA in-depth database was used to analyse fatal accidents between an HGV and a VRU. In the following context, a VRU is a common name for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and moped riders. In total, 63 fatal accidents, composed of 28 pedestrians, 13 bicyclists and 22 motorcyclists accidents.

In total, 22 active and passive safety systems were selected for their potential effect to save lives in accidents involving HGVs and VRUs. For each system, target population and boundary conditions were defined. These were based on current and upcoming legal, upcoming EuroNCAP systems and General Safety Regulations. A potential analysis was carried out, by testing all safety systems for all relevant cases with a consensus group of three analysts.

The collision pattern was VRU specific as well as the type of countermeasures indicating an effect. For pedestrians, collisions occurred in front of the HGV at low speed, often at zebra-crossing. Systems increasing visibility for the drivers had the largest effect, surround vision with a potential effect of 50%. Most collision with a bicyclist happened when the HGV was turning right at low speed. In those situations, the driver fails to see the bicyclist, or the bicyclist misinterpret the intention of the turning HGV, without margin for action to avoid collision. In these accidents, the AEB (Automatic Emergency Brake) junction or BSIS (Blind Spot Information System) indicated an 85% potential effectiveness. HGV-to-Motorcyclist collisions are by far the most challenging to prevent due to high motorcycle speed.