Taking an active approach to passive safety
The 'Network of Excellence on advanced passive safety' (APSN) project followed in the footsteps of the Passive safety network (PSN) and the European vehicle passive safety network 2 (EVPSN2) - two projects that realised the mobilisation of critical research and development (R&D) mass on vehicle passive safety. The current project specifically aimed to establish an integrated European vehicle passive safety research and implementation programme along with the creation of a Virtual Centre of Excellence (VCE). The overall goal was to lay the groundwork for expediting improvements in road safety so as to drive down annual EU statistics for road victims. Starting out as a network of 55 members, APSN focused on vehicle passive safety and sought to integrate research activities. Members therefore established links with neighbouring fields of interests such as active safety, and road infrastructures, railway and aircraft safety as well as non-road safety. Efforts in these research directions included standardisation, harmonisation of regulations and legislation issues, joint R&D efforts, and dissemination and transfer of knowledge. Dissemination of ongoing research activities was achieved through more than 20 workshops, an international annual conference and training courses. An intranet was set up to encourage and support interactive working among the APSN research teams. This facilitated communication among the working groups and served as a portal for connecting the network's communication channels. Project partners developed a business plan offering a sound approach towards the self-sustainability of the envisaged VCE. Different organisational forms were considered, and a decision was made to establish an association, with by-laws being finalised and registered under French law. Named the Integrated Safety Network (ISN), the association maintains a strong link with the objectives of the APSN and the future focus on integrated safety. Such initiatives have the potential to drive developments in road safety for a better protected Europe.
