Technical Bulletin

Test of Emergency Steering SupportSystems
Version 1.0
10th March 2022
TB 037

TitleVersionDocument NumberAuthor
Date
Related Documents
Application Date

Test of Emergency Steering Support Systems
1.0
TB 037A Rigling (ADAC), J Ellway (Euro NCAP)
10th March 2022
AEB C2C and AEB VRU testing protocols
1st January 2023

Copyright © Euro NCAP 2022 - This work is the intellectual property of Euro NCAP. Permission is granted for this material
to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on thereproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of Euro NCAP. To disseminate otherwise or to
republish requires written permission from Euro NCAP.

Preface
DISCLAIMER: Euro NCAP has taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information
published in this document is accurate and reflects the technical decisions taken by theorganisation. In the unlikely event that this protocol contains a typographical error or any otherinaccuracy, Euro NCAP reserves the right to make corrections and determine the assessment
and subsequent result of the affected requirement(s).

EUROPEAN NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (Euro NCAP)

Table of Contents
1.

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1

2.
2.1
2.2

General Requirements for ESS Systems ..................................................................... 2
ESS scenario ................................................................................................................... 2
ESS system requirements ................................................................................................ 2

3.
3.1

Performance Requirements ......................................................................................... 3
ESS system rewards ........................................................................................................ 3

4.
4.1

Test Execution ............................................................................................................... 4
ESS test parameters to apply........................................................................................... 4

1.

Introduction

This Technical Bulletin (TB 037) defines the performance requirements and testing procedure
for the assessment of Emergency Steering Support (ESS) Systems.
Where Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems are not able to fully avoid impacts
and accidents (especially at higher speeds), an additional ESS function that supports the driversteering around a hazard and avoiding imminent collisions and help to step back in-lane isbeneficial. These ESS functions are considered a supplementary function to the AEB system.
This document should be used in conjunction with the Euro NCAP AEB Car-to-car Test
protocol, the AEB/LSS VRU Test protocol and the Safety Assist Assessment Protocol –Collision Avoidance.

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2.

General Requirements for ESS Systems

2.1
ESS scenario
2.1.1 The Car-to-Car Rear (CCRs -50) FCW scenario shall be used – a collision in which avehicle travels forwards towards another stationary vehicle and the frontal structure of
the vehicle strikes the rear structure of the other.
2.1.2 It is also possible to use the CPLA25 and CBLA25 scenarios with ESS.
2.2

ESS system requirements
ALL of the following requirements must be met in order to qualify for ESS rewards:

2.2.1 ESS is defined as an AEB supplementary function, vehicles without an AEB system do
not qualify for an ESS reward.
2.2.2 The system must be default ON.
2.2.3 An ESS system requires driver initiation and steering wheel input to trigger the ESS
manoeuvre.
2.2.4 The ESS system must support the driver’s steering inputs to avoid collision with thetarget and initiate a controlled steer back straight to minimise the overshoot outside of
the adjacent lane.
2.2.5 A forward collision warning (FCW) must be issued, the FCW requirements are definedin the Safety Assist Assessment Protocol – Collision Avoidance.
2.2.6 While an ESS manoeuvre is being conducted, the ESS system must not be deactivatedby slight driver braking actions.
2.2.7 The system must function symmetrically for both left hand and right hand drive versionsof the vehicle (i.e. evasion support towards the far side).
2.2.8 The system shall be available for speeds of 50km/h and above (VVUT).
2.2.9 Systems that give support beyond 80km/h (VVUT) in the CCRS-50 scenario or,alternatively, systems that comply with these requirements at differential speeds >80km/h, qualify for additional rewards as defined in the HMI section of the Safety Assist
Assessment Protocol.
2.2.10 During and after the ESS support, a visual warning to inform the driver that there is/wasa hazard or system action is recommended, but not required for scoring
2.2.11 The OEM must inform the test laboratory of the system functionality prior to testing.
Where an ESS system requires a driver’s hands to be in contact with the steering wheel
the vehicle may not detect the presence of a steering robot. In this case, the laboratory
will deactivate the ‘hands on’ detection for the test. If this is not possible, the OEM
shall bring information of how to activate ‘hands on’ detection while testing.

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3.

Performance Requirements

3.1

ESS system rewards
An ESS system qualifies for rewards if the requirements detailed in Section 2 are met
and testing has demonstrated that:

3.1.1 The VUT avoids any impact with the target (including side mirrors and other exterior
components) and,3.1.2 The VUT does not cross outside of the adjacent lane (i.e. DTLE < -0.3m of adjacentlane) for at least 2 seconds after TTC=0.

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4.

Test Execution

4.1
ESS test parameters to apply
4.1.1 The test shall be performed in two fully marked lanes, each lane shall be 3.5m in widthwith solid lines on the outside. See Figure 1
4.1.2 The VUT is driven in a straight line in the middle of the ego lane in accordance withthe tolerances specified in the relevant AEB C2C or VRU AEB testing protocols.
4.1.3 For CCRs -50, the GVT shall be set to -50% overlap position relative to the VUT, seeFigure 1 (where applicable).
4.1.4 Alternatively, for VRU scenarios the EPT or EBT shall be set to CPLA25 or CBLA25
scenarios respectively, see Figure 2 (where applicable).
4.1.5 At a time of 1 second after FCW initiation, a steering wheel input shall be applied tothe VUT’s steering wheel with an angular rate of 150°/s 1. The 1 second delay to thesteering input corresponds to a typical driver reaction time.
4.1.6 After reaching a steering wheel angle of 15° 1, the steering robot shall be released tofree mode for the remainder of the test.
4.1.7 The accelerator pedal shall be held constant while the ESS system is active and released
as soon as the initial VUT test speed is reduced by 5km/h.
4.1.8 The test ends 2 seconds after the VUT front passing the rear of the target.
4.2OEM data
4.2.1 For assessment years 2023 & 2024 only, the OEM may present an alternative test
method to demonstrate ESS system functionality and performance.
4.2.2 Where the assessment is based upon OEM data, a dossier must be presented to the EuroNCAP Secretariat and demonstrate functionality with the use of flowcharts,
photographs, videos, plots and written descriptions.

1

Derived from naturalistic driving study EVADE Project

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Figure 1: ESS Test diagram using CCRs -50 scenario

Figure 2: ESS Test diagram using CPLA25 scenario

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