Tourismo: Safety in the event of an accident

In an accident.

Even though the bus is one of the safest vehicles in the world and the risk of accidents when travelling by bus is very low, accidents can still occur.

Mercedes-Benz has ensured that the consequences of the accident are as limited as possible. Thus, the strength of the bodywork is also an important factor for the high level of passive safety in the Tourismo.

In addition, the Tourismo has partitions, handrails and special seating that absorb energy in the event of a collision or rollover. This means important protection for the occupants of the vehicle.

Front Collision Guard (FCG).

The Front Collision Guard offers increased safety in the event of a head-on collision by means of a transverse profile behind which crash elements are located. Their absorber structure converts the impact energy into deformation energy. The transverse profile serves as a reliable underride guard. Since the driver’s work space is mounted on a massive frame component, it can be pushed backwards to maintain a protective space for the driver in the case of a frontal impact.

The patented technology includes a multi-part cross section as underride guard behind the bumper with the idea of protecting other road users, e.g. preventing a car from going under the bus. The front-end structure behind this cross section consists of crash elements that can selectively dissipate energy in the event of a collision. In addition, the driver's area, including steering, pedals and seat, is located on a massive frame section that is displaced rearward as a complete unit in the event of a serious head-on collision, thereby increasing the survival space by vital centimetres.

The FCG fulfils the requirements of the underride guard according to ECE-R 93, as well as legal norms for pendulum impact in buses. Moreover, the FCG already meets future statutory standards for pendulum impact tests on buses.

Stable bodywork (body in compliance with ECE-R 66.02).

The strength of the bus body is also an important factor for the level of passive safety of a bus. With its resistance, the consequences of an accident can be avoided. The high rigidity of the bus body of our buses is enhanced by weight-optimised annular frames around the body.

The rigidity is defined in accordance with regulation UN ECE-R 66.02. It specifies the exact "survival space" which must be guaranteed by the structural design in the event of an accident.

After an accident.

Building safe vehicles is the top priority within the integral safety concept of Mercedes-Benz. This also includes all measures that help to mitigate the consequences of an accident. Thus an important part of our work sees us sharing precise information with the emergency services: after all, detailed knowledge about our vehicles and their safety systems can help rescue teams reach injured people more quickly. This can save lives.

To the rescue guidelines