We constantly implement and participate in projects that aim to increase road safety - and sustainability! Here you will find information about a selection of these. In some of our projects, we collaborate with partners in society, academia and industry.
VERDAS 2 aims to develop robust test methods grounded in field data analysis to realistically capture the mechanisms behind traffic accidents. In this second VERDAS project, we address car-to-cyclist accident scenarios.
The project aims to help drivers - and (autonomous) driving system designers - understand and care about vulnerable road users. This will lead to safer long-lasting traffic behavior.
Comprehensive information on car-to-pedestrian and car-to-cyclist crashes for calendar years 2005 and onwards are collected and analyzed - and statistical data is available for various analysis tasks.
The aim of this study was to explore cyclists’ and motorists’ experiences of rural road usage and overtaking manoeuvres, with the goal to contribute to increase the knowledge required for an improvement of the situation for sustainable, active transport.
Practical implementations include changes in regulations, public awareness campaigns, the design of driver coaching systems, and appropriate driving system algorithms for future automated vehicles. Choosing to cycle fits with the goals of traffic planning focused on sustainability, accessibility for all, and public health.
Read press release (in Swedish) "Stor otrygghet i trafiken bland cyklister"
Retrospectively evaluating the safety impact of an automated driving system (ADS) is a new area for traffic research. There are no established best practices in this area, which makes the interpretation of results difficult.
A working group of traffic safety experts, aiming at consensus on methodological choices and interpretations of ADS safety assessment studies, was formed.
The RAVE (Retrospective Automated Vehicle Evaluation) checklist is a set of 15 recommendations for performing and evaluating retrospective ADS performance comparisons.
In the ISO project “ISO/PWI TS 25536, Retrospective safety performance assessment for Automated Driving Systems”, we are participating in further developing and standardizing the methodology.
The project's goal is to create understanding of the experience of the complex vehicle-cyclist interactions that take place on roads. The work includes identification of barriers and possible measures, GIS-based analysis and testing in a cycling simulator that enables realistic cycling.
The goal of the project is to support improved road safety by developing physical and virtual verification methods.
If contributes with statistical analysis of crashes in PAV, in-depth analysis of crashes from PAV and, together with Viscando, complementary video data from Pedestrian crossings.
The goal of this project was to develop a platform that provides as real an experience of cycling as possible. The new bicycle simulator differs from all other simulators by being based on free rollers, unlike previous versions that had a fixed roller.
The results from MICA2 not only enabled new safety systems, but they also provided input for the development of experimental protocols in Euro NCAP and the promotion of a safe interaction between automated vehicle and cyclists.
Video that summarizes the project (open in new tab)
Technical project report (open in new tab)
Fall accidents are a significant and often overlooked issue, particularly affecting older adults and women. In Sweden, nearly 94 % of pedestrian accidents in traffic environments are falls, which can have long-lasting and costly effects on both individuals and society.
Pedestrians with fall injuries constitute the largest group of traffic-related injuries, with almost half of all those injured experiencing long-term consequences. Every fourth reported fall accident in traffic leads to a disabling injury, with hip fractures and head injuries being among the most severe outcomes.
Tragically, about one in three hip fracture patients dies within a year after the injury. Addressing this issue is crucial for improving mobility and public health and reducing the societal burden caused by these injuries.
This project aimed at describing conflicts on rural roads between motorists and active travellers in a Swedish context by analysing crash statistics. The development of a logger that provides measurements of overtaking and oncoming passes in detail and can in the future then be used to quantify the context for situations that do not result in a (documented) collision. This way, collisions can be put into perspective for example in relation to the context (road type, speed limit, average annual daily traffic, etc.).
The methodology is planned to be used in future projects aiming at improving the situation for active travel on rural roads.
Volvia, which is part of If, been collaborating with the Volvo Cars Accident Investigation Team has since the late1960s . In these reports, you can read about Volvo Car’s research based on that data – that is the basis for many innovative safety systems.
A method for predicting crash configurations using counterfactual simulations and real-world data
In this paper, a novel method for describing crash configurations is presented and a method for predicting the effect of crash avoiding technologies is proposed. If/Volvia data was in the baseline for the pre-crash simulations. The effect of a conceptual ADAS on crash configuration distributions is predicted. Impacts on the vehicles’ corners are expected to be more frequent due to AEB.
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Accident data analysis - remaining accidents and crash configurations of automated vehicles in mixed traffic
In the project described in this report, that was funded from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, the idea was to use accident data to predict traffic scenario as well as crash configurations which automated vehicles will be exposed to.
Thereby, the influences of driver assistance and active safety technologies as well as automation were taken into account. Volvo Cars contribution was based on Volvo Cars' Traffic Accident Database with crashes from If/Volvia).
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Risk estimation for different precrash factors in run‐off road crashes in curves
The aim of this study was to estimate crash risk for precrash factors in run off road crashes in curves by using a novel methodology for combining different types of available databases.
Using one statistical crash database, based on crashes from If/Volvia, and one NDS dataset, a matched case‐control methodology was applied to run‐off road crashes in curves (n=367) and a set of controls consisting of curve driving events.
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Pre-crash factors influencing drivers of older ages in intersection collision
This study is about the driver needs from a preventive and protective perspective focusing on cognitive pre-crash factors influencing the older driver in intersection collisions.
The study combines information from a statistical dataset based on crashes from If/Volvia and 33 in-depth cases. The 55+ drivers are relatively more involved in collisions occurring in intersections than the group of drivers aged 25-35.
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Collision warning with auto brake, a real-life safety perspectiv
Crashes with Volvo cars from If/Volvia data contribute to a break-down of the traffic safety problem that the active safety systems Collision Warning with Auto Brake targets in rear-end collisions. This data was used to guide the evaluation and performance prediction process as well as the system development.
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A Method for Estimating the Benefit of Autonomous Braking Systems Using Traffic Accident Data
This paper describes a novel method for estimating the possible benefit of autonomous braking systems and for evaluating different settings such as sensor performance, limitation of braking time, and object classification. One fundamental input is crash data, e.g., as collected from If/Volvia.
Designing for equal occupant protection – learning from the past, moving forward
The objective of this study was to examine how a human‑centric, real‑world car safety development process supports equitable occupant protection. Using the unique and consistent If/Volvia data collected over more than 50 years, the analysis reveals trends of successful vehicle safety advancements.
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Real world data driven evolution of side impact protection systems and their effectiveness
The effectiveness of four generations of improved side impact protection are calculated with data from Volvo’s statistical accident database with Volvo cars in Sweden - based on crashes from If/Volvia. Compared to baseline vehicles, vehicles of generation I reduce MAIS2+ injuries by 54 %, generation II by 61 % and generation III by 72 %.
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Safety for the growing child – experiences from Swedish accident data
This study examines accidents with Volvo cars, based on crashes from If/Volvia, to evaluate child safety with respect to age, size and impact situation; identifying optimal restraints as well as potential areas needing more attention. The injury-reducing effect of the child restraint systems was high overall.
Rear seat safety of estate cars – New concepts
The accident experience, based on crashes from If/Volvia, of the rear seats in passenger cars is summarized, with special attention to estate cars. The result is a new concept of estate car rear seats with a high level of safety, comfort and convenience.
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Parameters Influencing Risk of AIS 1 Neck Injuries in Frontal and Side Impacts
To gain more knowledge neck injuries in frontal impacts, a statistical study was performed on data of 616 occupants in Volvo cars from If/Volvia.
Information regarding the crash, the safety systems, occupant characteristics, behavior and sitting posture at the time of impact, and neck symptoms was collected and analyzed. Occupant characteristics, kinematics and behavior at the time of impact were the most prominent parameters for AIS 1 neck injury outcome.
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AIS1 Neck Injury Reducing Effect of WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System)
Rear-end impacts from involving Volvo cars from If/Volvia data 1999-2002 are investigated to see if AIS1 neck injury rate were different in cars with WHIPS seats compared to in cars with previous Volvo seats.
The AIS1 neck injury reducing effect of WHIPS was 31 % for initial neck symptoms and 51 % for neck symptoms lasting longer than one year. The injury reducing effect is higher for women than for men.
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Analysis of different head and neck responses in rear-end car collisions using a new humanlike mathematical model
Traffic accident data from If/Volvia with rear-end car collisions involving Volvo cars were used to identify vehicle and occupant related parameters that influence the risk of neck injury.
A humanlike occupant model was developed in MADYMO, with a mechanical equivalent of the complex spine. The biofidelity of the model was adequate for qualitative assessment of the influence of occupant and vehicle related parameters on the occupant response.
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A Statistical Analysis of 28,000 Accident Cases with Emphasis on Occupant Restraint Value
This may be one of the first follow-up studies on Volvo cars safety systems, dated 1968. Data from the predecessor to todays If/Volvia was used. At the time, the safety belt use was only 26 %.
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The Child in the Volvo Car
The development of child safety systems for Volvo cars is based on experience of car accidents involving children and experience of laboratory tests. It covers children of all age groups and the needs of different travel modes.
For many years, the Volvo Traffic Accident Research Team has undertaken extensive investigation of accidents, based on crashes from If/Volvia. And increased its knowledge about the collision properties of complete vehicles and their design subsystems, and about various occupant injury mechanisms. This knowledge is applied to the development of future road vehicles, by basing design and development work on well-established safety properties.
Description of same-direction car-to-bicycle crash scenarios using real-world data from Sweden, Germany, and a global crash database
In this study, car-to-bicycle crashes occurring when a passenger car and a bicycle are both traveling in the same direction and on the same road (without a physically separated lane) from four different real-world crash databases were investigated.
Both Volvo Cars Cyclist Accident Database that is based on data from the If/Volvia VRU crash database, and the actual If/Volvia VRU crash database was used in the study. The focus was on analyzing precrash factors such as speed and light conditions, as well as impact configurations and cyclist injuries.
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The Effect Of P-Aeb System Parameters On The Effectiveness For Real World Pedestrian Accidents
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different pedestrian autonomous emergency braking (P-AEB) systems on real world pedestrian accidents originating from three different accident databases, where one of them was the Volvo Cars Pedestrian Accident Database - based on data from If's VRU crash database.
The precrash phases were investigated and collision parameters were compared between the original real-world cases and cases with treatment conditions. For treatment simulations, the car was equipped with a virtual generic P-AEB system.
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Current and future accident and impact scenarios for pedestrians and cyclists
In an extensive accident analysis of Vulnerable Road User (VRU) use cases, data from the If/Volvia VRU crash database was one source used to derive accident scenarios. To summarise the results from the different databases, a comparable methodology applicable for the different sources was defined. In total, more than 4 Million accidents were available for analysis
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Car-to-cyclist crashes in Europe and derivation of use cases as basis for test scenarios of nextgeneration advanced driver assistance systems – results from PROSPECT
Traffic accident data from the If/Volvia VRU crash database was used when latest information on car-to-cyclist crashes in Europe was compiled including details on the related crash configurations, driving directions, outcome in terms of injury severity, accident location, other environmental aspects and driver responsibilities.
A total of 29 Use Cases were derived considering the group of seriously or fatally injured cyclists and 35 Use Caseswere derived considering the group of slightly, seriously or fatally injured cyclists. The highest ranked Use Case describes the collision between a car turning to the nearside and a cyclist riding on a bicycle lane against the usual driving direction.
CATS car-to-cyclist accident parameters and test scenarios
Data from the If/Volvia VRU crash database was one of the crash databases used for describing relevant accident parameters for five most dominant accidents scenarios and construct car-to-cyclist accident test scenarios for the EU. Based on the accident scenarios and accident parameters obtained from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
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Cyclists interacting with passenger cars; a study of real world crashes
Crash data analysis for safety priorities, design of safety systems and development of effectiveness assessment methods for cyclist safety should be based on relevant and representative datasets of real world crashes.
This study presents descriptive statistics and cyclist injury risk estimations from Volvo Cars Cyclist Accident Database that is based on data from the If/Volvia VRU crash database. The report provides up‐to‐date distributions of conflict situations, crash configurations as well as cyclist characteristics and driver information
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Pedestrians interacting with a passenger car; a study of real world accidents
Pedestrian safety priorities for passenger cars are usually based on data with varying car makes and models.
This study presents a new database, V_PAD (Volvo Cars Pedestrian Accident Database), that is based on data from the If/Volvia VRU crash database, with a homogeneous car sample providing a relevant, up‐to‐date distribution of accident situations as well as pedestrian characteristics and driver information. The database with cars of the same types gives unique possibilities to design and evaluate effective safety measures for pedestrian safety.
Lower Extremity Injuries in Car Crashes, focusing the Foot, Ankle and Leg
This study aims to deepen knowledge about mechanisms behind lower extremity injuries in car crashes, using insights based on If/Volvia data. One focus is on how protection for legs, ankles, and feet has evolved with car design advancements over time. Another objective is to analyze current crash data to identify occupant, vehicle, and crash characteristics influencing AIS2+ injuries.
Read the study (open in new window)
Thoracolumbar Spine Injuries in Car Crashes
Using real‐world crashes from Volvo Cars Traffic Accident Database, based on crashes from If/Volvia, a two‐part study was carried out: a statistical analysis to establish the correlation between influencing factors to the accident occurrence; and an in‐depth data study to identify and categorise AIS2+ TL spine fractures.
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Evaluation of thoracic injury criteria for THUMS finite element human body model using realworld accident data
This study compare the thoracic injury risk predicted by a modified THUMS with the risks predicted by an injury risk curve constructed based on real‐world data from real‐world crashes.
For this purpose, an AIS2+ injury risk curve was constructed based on selected and representative frontal car crashes from the Volvo Cars Traffic Statistical Accident Database that is based on crashes from If/Volvia). All THUMS criteria predicted higher risk compared to the risk predicted by the real‐ world injury risk curve.
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Upper extremity fractures in car accidents
A subset of occupant injury cases with detailed information from Volvo Cars Traffic Accident Database, based on crashes from If/Volvia, was used to identify and categorise the upper extremity fractures and by that enhance knowledge about probable mechanisms. This in turn, is an important step in the development of protection devices in cars. Upper extremity fractures are found predominantly in frontal impacts and drivers tend to be more exposed.
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Identifying thoracic and lumbar spinal injuries in car accidents
This study categorises thoracic and lumbar spine injuries in 189 occupants, from a subset of 21 034 adult occupants in Volvo cars (crashes from If/Volvia) during 1991-2005. Injuries to the lumbar and thoracic spine were mostly found in multiple events; a high proportion of the cases are run-off road scenarios.
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Does BMI (Body Mass Index) influence the occupant injury risk pattern in car crashes?
The influence of BMI on occupant injury risks is studied using Swedish (crashes with Volvo cars from If/Volvia) and US car crash data. A clear general trend of increasing BMI over the years is found. No overall differences in MAIS2+ injury risks comparing the different BMI groups were found.
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Facial injury occurrence in traffic accidents and its detection by a load sensing face
Head and facial injuries are becoming less frequent and less severe in modern day cars.
Volvo conducted accident research based on crashes from If/Volvia, and about 6 % of the passengers that sustained some kind of injury had a facial injury. The corresponding figure for the driver was 10 %. The following facial areas were most often injured: nasal region, forehead and mandible. The fracture and contusion type injuries can be detected by using a new load sensing dummy face with piezo electric sensors.
Large Animal Crashes the Significance and Challenges
Statistics based on data with crashes from If/Volvia identified important factors in large animal crashes as impact speed, impact configuration, environmental factors and driver awareness. Occupant injuries were e.g. injuries to head, neck and upper extremities, both from penetrating roof structure parts and by interaction with the large animal body, and cuts and scrapes by splintering glass or sharp edges. Tests using a large animal dummy illustrate the importance of structural integrity of the header and A‐pillar area, and vehicle speed at impact.
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Severe Partial Overlap Crashes – A Methodology Representative of Car to Car Real World Frontal Crash Situations
Based on real world crash data with origin in crashes from If/Volvia, important car-to-car frontal impact scenarios are identified and mechanisms studied. Full scale crash tests and finite element crash simulations are performed in order to evaluate different car to car crash configurations that form the basis for studying structural load paths.
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In-depth Study of Volvo Cars in Rollover Accidents
The results from the in-depth investigations were compared to statistical analyses of rollover cases in Volvo's accident database that is based on crashes from If/Volvia and the NASS database.
Read about conclusions regarding deformation characteristics, the initiation of rollovers, the number of turns, the roll direction, where the rollover takes place, the body parts most often injured, and the most common injury mechanisms!
If participates in standard developments to get knowledge of future market requirements and guidelines for our processes. Participating in standardization is an investment in knowledge and competitiveness, and we are part of two committees with projects that concern traffic safety.
In the action plan for the period 2022–2025, 33 actors (government agencies, municipalities, regions, non-profit organizations, industry organizations, insurance companies, and research centers) describe their ambitions to contribute to safe road traffic.
Trafikverket: Joint Action Plan for Road Traffic Safety (in Swedish, opens in a new tab)
If’s Measures:
SAFER Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre at Chalmers is a collaboration platform for research and knowledge exchange with partners from society, academia and industry. The overall aim is to acquire and share knowledge to make significant contributions to a safer road transport environment. If has been a SAFER partner since 2010.
This forum is focused on enhancing safety related to alternative fuel powertrains, particularly electric, gas, and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
By addressing a wide range of needs and challenges, such as accident response, storage, firefighting, and safety during transport, the overarching goal is to improve safety for both emergency responders and the public.