ANCAP to Implement Real-World Testing Protocols by 2026

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the crash-testing authority for Australia and New Zealand, is gearing up for a significant overhaul of its testing protocols set to take effect in 2026. These upcoming changes aim to better reflect real-world driving conditions, considering factors like road quality, weather, and driver behavior, to more accurately assess vehicle safety.

Moving Beyond the Lab: A Shift to Real-World Scenarios

Currently, ANCAP updates its testing protocols every three years, with the last major update implemented for the 2023-2026 period. The next set of changes, scheduled for 2026, will introduce more "real-world" scenarios into the testing process. This means that vehicles will not only be tested in controlled environments but also under conditions that drivers are likely to encounter daily.

According to ANCAP’s CEO, Carla Hoorweg, the focus for 2026 is on "robustness," and this includes how safety is impacted by factors such as driving in the rain or on roads that aren't perfectly flat. “There's all sorts of things that are in the mix for consideration at the moment,” Ms. Hoorweg told the media, including considerations like the road's camber. Unlike test tracks, which are typically flat, real-world roads often have a camber to facilitate water drainage, impacting how vehicles handle in various situations.

ANCAP is also exploring expanding current testing protocols to include different light levels, building on existing day-time and night-time pedestrian tests. The goal is to minimize the chance for manufacturers to design vehicles solely to pass standardized tests, pushing for vehicles to be safer in real-life scenarios.

Incorporating Virtual Testing

Another significant change on the horizon is the incorporation of virtual testing, which will complement physical crash tests. This is particularly relevant for examining how different demographics, such as obese or elderly individuals, fare in vehicle crashes. Concerns around obesity and age are growing, as higher body weight and lower bone density can increase injury risks, even in low-speed crashes.

“When we are looking at the 2026 protocols, there's a lot of work going on around what additional information virtual testing can give us,” Ms. Hoorweg noted. This approach will provide more comprehensive data on how various body types and conditions affect crash outcomes.

Addressing Technology Intrusiveness

ANCAP is not just focusing on crash scenarios but is also evaluating the effectiveness of existing vehicle technologies. Recently, ANCAP has conducted research outside its usual five-star rating process to test the intrusiveness of lane-keep assist technology in new cars. The findings revealed that some manufacturers have implemented rudimentary systems that may do more harm than good, prompting drivers to disable them.

“It’s disappointing that some of them [the car makers] have undercooked their R&D,” Ms. Hoorweg remarked. ANCAP’s goal is to ensure these systems genuinely aid drivers rather than complicate their driving experience.

ANCAP plans to use these findings to shape the 2026 protocols and is already testing more vehicles to identify and address these issues. As ANCAP protocols are shared with Euro NCAP, these advancements will influence vehicle safety standards beyond Australia and New Zealand.

Future Focus: Driver Attention and Distraction Technology

ANCAP is also turning its attention to emerging technologies designed to monitor driver attention and prevent distraction. As these features become more common in new vehicles, ANCAP aims to ensure they are well-designed and genuinely beneficial rather than burdensome.

Although ANCAP doesn't yet have enough data to take action on driver attention systems, it is committed to monitoring their development closely to prevent the pitfalls seen with lane-keep assist technology.

Conclusion

The 2026 changes to ANCAP’s testing protocols mark a significant step towards more realistic and comprehensive vehicle safety assessments. By incorporating real-world scenarios, virtual testing, and a focus on technological effectiveness, ANCAP aims to ensure that the vehicles on our roads are safer and better suited to the challenges drivers face every day. As these changes take shape, drivers can look forward to even higher safety standards in the vehicles of the future