The opponents are: the front section frame of the new Setra MultiClass 500 LE and a whole arsenal of threatening hydraulic cylinders. The countdown is short, which piles on the pressure: Peter Schmutz starts the countdown: “Three, two, one, go!”. A hydraulic cylinder presses a 250 x 400 mm steel plate onto the new Setra MultiClass 500 LE underride guard at five defined points one after the other with a pressure of eight or 16 tonnes.
SetraWorld Magazine
Improved passive safety.
The new MultiClass 500 LE features a front underride guard.
Improved passive safety.
The new MultiClass 500 LE features a front underride guard.
“The Setra brand stands for safety. So we design our buses and coaches with this in mind. Tests like this prove that our products meet the specified requirements.”
Peter Schmutz works in testing at Daimler Buses and has been responsible for testing passive safety, amongst other things, for over a decade and a half. So it's safe to say that he knows exactly what he's doing and why he's doing it. "The Setra brand stands for safety. So we design our buses and coaches with this in mind. Tests like this prove that our products meet the specified requirements."
“In the event of a frontal collision with a passenger car, this should prevent the car from sliding beneath the bus/coach.”
Voluntary testing.
An underride guard is not legally required for buses/coaches, unlike trucks. The optional underride guard of the new MultiClass 500 LE is made of a crossmember with struts behind it. The design serves primarily to protect other road users. “In the event of a frontal collision with a passenger car, this should prevent the car from sliding beneath the bus", explains Deniz Uçur, Bodyshell Developer at Daimler Buses.
When Daimler Buses runs tests, they do it right. All testing is carried out in accordance with UN/ECE Regulation 93. This specifies the dimensions and position of the underride guard as well as the position of the load application points, test forces and the maximum permissible deformation.
Accident simulation.
Testing takes place in Building 200, the test hall at the Daimler Truck's Development and Test Centre (EVZ) in Wörth am Rhein, Germany. Here, the passive safety of trucks, and occasionally also buses, is tested. All tests simulate accidents. They are designed to protect drivers, passengers and other road users involved in accidents.
At least one test per week.
The man in charge at the test hall is Jörg Dünschmann, Test Engineer at Daimler Truck. He and his team use a crane to move the bus frame to the five different test positions. In each position, it is firmly bolted to the hall floor at four points and additionally lashed with chains – after all, it has to withstand enormous pressures.
Ideal test conditions.
Every moment of the test is captured on camera. The test team follows the test process from the control station, observing what is happening through windows and on screens. Bartholomäus Zak from TÜV Rheinland is also present. The engineer for type approval and homologation checks the test procedure and results and finally issues the desired certification. One thing is sure: Built-in safety is good, tested safety is better, certified safety is best of all. In view of the test results, Peter Schmutz is certain that “We are the benchmark for passive safety”. Good to know!
