| Bob Joyce, engineering director at Jaguar
and Land Rover explained to Nargess Shahmanesh at the Coventry University
MA automotive design show in September, that it has taken a lot of time
to define standards and legislation in terms of pedestrian safety. There
was not a test protocol before now, but this is not the case anymore,
he added. In terms of design, he doesn't see a design disaster as in having
strange shapes crated. Overall change in terms of styling will be subtle.
"It may constraint design to a degree, but this will not be so extreme
as to damage the look as such," he said.
Peter Horbury, executive director of design at Ford's Premier Automotive
Group, has a different approach to the subject: "Why don't we redesign
pedestrians," he said mockingly. But on a more serious note he added:
"There is a definite difference in the attitude towards safety between
Europe and the US, where the while idea of paying for active safety is
unheard of.
Joyce added that we already have different safety standards in Europe
and he US, therefore this is not a new issue. The question is will people
pay more for active safety?
Horbury admitted that safety has played a huge part in changing design.
Changes have been made, but if these are done well no one will notice
the modifications at all. "It makes our life more interesting as
designers," he said.
He talked about the time he lived in Scandinavia when leading the Volvo
design team. There the government has strict laws when it comes to the
separation of road users. "The bicycle lane works really well by
creating a definite separation. In the UK, our whole road structure needs
to be re-examined," he added.
"Designing around legislation and still making good cars is a challenge,"
said Horbury. "The new BMW 5 Series, for instance, has pedestrian
safety on the bumper. It is a lot of work, but at the end of the day makes
for a safer life."
At the end of the day Italian will drive as they do, and Americans will
not wear seatbelts. "It is up to us to come up with detailed engineering
and clever solutions," Horbury concluded. "The industry has
a responsibility."
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