Discussion of the evolution of UN R73 with a proposal to update load requirements for lateral protection devices:

• Application of a force of 3kN perpendicular to the device (as currently defined)
• Max. strain under loading at 90mm over the 250mm most rearwards part
• Max. strain under loading at 450mm on the other parts.

Proposal to amend geometrical criteria (dimensions and distances between lateral protection devices) and installation provisions for lateral protection barriers in order to improve their performance with regard to vulnerable road users. The proposal would

1. increase the maximum distance between lateral rails from 300 mm to 400 mm
2. redefine the limits for the lower edge from “550 mm above the ground” to definition via an isosceles triangle formed by lines drawn at 8° from the ground contact points of the vehicle tires intersecting at point “I” above the road surface where the maximum limit “I” is between 350-450 mm
3. define the upper edge as from 450 mm rather than 300 mm maximum from the vehicle structure or maximum height of the upper edge above the ground from 950 mm to 850 mm
4. update the horizontal static force requirement for lateral protection devices to 3 kN and the deflection under load criteria to 90 mm over the rearmost 250 mm of the device and 450 mm over the remainder of the device.

The purpose is to reduce the risk of running over a person (e.g., a motorcycle rider) during a lateral collision.