DIN EN 1317

To be implemented within Europe, Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS) have to meet the requirements of the European Standard EN 1317. The systems have to undergo crash tests, whose parameters and acceptance criteria are defined by the norm. Depending on the test results, the systems are divided into performance classes. Each type of VRS is evaluated in an individual part of the EN 1317:

DIN EN 1317-1

Terminology an general criteria for test methods

General part of the standard, specifies characteristics of test areas and vehicles

DIN EN 1317-2

Performance classes, impact test acceptance criteria and test methods for safety barriers including vehicle parapets

Test Parameters

  • see table 1; specification of vehicle mass, speed and impact angle for 11 possible crash tests

Acceptance Criteria

  • Containment Level see table 2; crash test or combination of crash tests to carry out for achieving a certain containment class, 15 classes (T1-L4b)
  • Impact Severity see table 4; degree of physical strain on the passengers depending on the measured values of Acceleration Severity Index (ASI) and Theoretical Head Impact Velocity (THIV), 3 classes (A,B,C)
  • Working Width see table 3; degree of system deformation of a VRS, leading to classification of working width (W), 8 classes

DIN EN 1317-3

Performance classes, impact test acceptance criteria and test methods for crash cushions

Test Parameters

  • Specification of vehicle mass, speed, point of impact and angle for 18 possible crash tests

Acceptance Criteria

  • Performance level, combination of crash tests to carry out, certain velocity classes from 50 to 110 km/h
  • Impact severity, degree of physical strain on the passengers, 2 classes (A,B)
  • Permanent lateral displacement (D), 8 classes
  • Redirection of the vehicle, 4 classes (Z1-Z4)

DINV ENV 1317-4

Performance classes, impact test acceptance criteria and test methods for terminals and transitions of safety barriers

Terminal Test Parameters

  • Specification of vehicle mass, speed, point of impact and angle for 12 possible crash tests

Terminal Acceptance Criteria

  • Perfomance class, crash test or combination of crash tests to carry out, 4 classes (P1-P4)
  • Impact severity, degree of physical strain on the passengers, 2 classes (A,B)
  • Permanent lateral displacement (D), classes x1-x3 (D towards traffic) and y1-y4 (D behind barrier line)
  • Redirection of the vehicle, 4 classes (Z1-Z4)

Trasition Test Parameters

  • Test specification acc. to EN 1317-2, definition of critical point of impact

Trasition Acceptance Criteria

  • Acceptance criteria acc. to EN 1317-2
  • Specification of vehicle mass, speed, point of impact and angle for 18 possible crash tests

Vehicle Impact Test Descriptions (DIN EN 1317-2)

Test Impact Speed Impact Angle Total Mass Type of Vehicle
TB 11 100 km/h 20° 900 kg Car
TB 21 80 km/h 8° 1.300 kg Car
TB 22 80 km/h 15° 1.300 kg Car
TB 31 80 km/h 20° 1.500 kg Car
TB 32 110 km/h 20° 1.500 kg Car
TB 41 70 km/h 8° 10.000 kg Rigid HGV
TB 42 70 km/h 15° 10.000 kg Rigid HGV
TB 51 70 km/h 20° 13.000 kg Bus
TB 61 80 km/h 20° 16.000 kg Rigid HGV
TB 71 65 km/h 20° 30.000 kg Rigid HGV
TB 81 65 km/h 20° 38.000 kg Articulated HGV

Containment Level (DIN EN 1317-2)

Containment Level Acceptance Test
Low angle containment
T1 TB 21
T2 TB 22
T3 TB 41 and TB 21
Normal containment
N1 TB 31
N2 TB 32 and TB 11
Higher containment
H1 TB 42 and TB 11
L1 TB 42, TB 32 and TB 11
H2 TB 51 and TB 11
L2 TB 51, TB 32 and TB 11
H3 TB 61 and TB 11
L3 TB 61, TB 32 and TB 11
Very high containment
H4a TB 71 and TB 11
H4b TB 81 and TB 11
L4a TB 71 TB 32 and TB 11
L4b TB 81 TB 32 and TB 11

Levels of normalised Working Width (DIN EN 1317-2)

Classes of normalised working width levels Levels of normalised working width
W1 W ≤ 0,6 m
W2 W ≤ 0,8 m
W3 W ≤ 1,0 m
W4 W ≤ 1,3 m
W5 W ≤ 1,7 m
W6 W ≤ 2,1 m
W7 W ≤ 2,5 m
W8 W ≤ 3,5 m

Impact Severity Levels (DIN EN 1317-2)

Impact Severity Level Index Values
A ASI ≤ 1,0 und THIV ≤ 33 km/h
B ASI ≤ 1,4
C ASI ≤ 1,9