Three teams were selected for mention in this year’s off-track ‘Safety’ award, with the jury placing special emphasis on advance thinking and preventative measures. Top of Shell’s priorities, safety is also growing in importance among teams, more of whom registered for this award this year than ever before. With a total 28 teams to judge, the selection was particularly challenging, but after careful deliberation the top three were identified.
- First prize to the Faculté polytechnique de Mons, Belgium (race number 304)
- Comprehensive risk-analysis study carried out which allowed the team to plan for potential malfunctions
- Smoke detector fitted inside the car
- Automatic interruption of engine in case of significant inclination of vehicle
- Electronic alert system detailing different types of malfunctions including light indicator for brake malfunction
- Cockpit secured by a system of screws which did not impede the quick evacuation of the driver in case of emergency
- Second prize to Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (race number 508)
- Remarkable achievement for a team which has participated in the Shell Eco-marathon Europe for the first time this year. In particular the jury found of significance:
- Automatic emergency shut-down of battery in case of overload
- Integral driver safety system to protect the driver in the case of frontal impact including a front bumper and a reinforced cage.
- A cooling system for the battery which prevents overheating of the battery as well as in the driver compartment.
- Third prize to Instituto Politecnico da Guarda, Portugal (race number 335)
- Much effort was invested in safety, including crash-safety, worthy of particular mention.
- The car design eliminated the traditional steering column, thereby minimising frontal injuries to the driver in case of impact
- A second roll-cage integrated into the cockpit ensured that driver’s legs and body were protected in case of roll-over.
- An emergency stop system shutting down all electrics on the vehicle
The jury also noted how the quality of the dossiers submitted was also vastly improved on other years. Many teams bore in mind feedback given them last year, integrating these into both their designs and entries. Where the jury found some entries wanting was particularly in terms of detailing vital but simple safety elements that can provide critical information in the case of an accident—for example, noting the driver’s blood group, or identifying from the exterior the location of the vehicle fire extinguisher.
Jury Composition:
Andreas Ratzek, ADAC
Chris Phillips, Shell
Bernard Gauguin, Safety Consultant
Jean-Marie Gontier, Automobile Technical Inspection Quality Controller