SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026
(Amendment)Road restraint systems - Validation and verification process for the use of virtual testing in crash testing against vehicle restraint system
- Abstract
This document defines the accuracy, credibility and confidence in the results of virtual crash test to vehicle restraint systems through the definition of procedures for verification, validation and development of numerical models for roadside safety application. Finally it defines a list of indications to ensure the competences of an expert/organization in the domain of virtual testing.
- Status
- Not Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 13-Oct-2024
- Technical Committee
- OCE - Road equipment
- Current Stage
- 5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 24-Jun-2026
- Due Date
- 12-Aug-2026
SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 is a draft amendment to EN 16303:2020 for road restraint systems. It specifies how to validate and verify virtual testing (VT) for crash testing against vehicle restraint systems, with a focus on the accuracy, credibility and confidence of numerical models. It is aimed at engineers, test laboratories and expert organizations working on roadside safety applications.
What does SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 specify?
SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 sets the process for using virtual crash tests with vehicle restraint systems, including safety barriers, crash cushions, terminals and passive safety devices. It also sets a way to judge the competence of the expert or organization carrying out the work.
The amendment updates the standard’s structure and ties it to related EN 1317 and EN 12767 documents. The foreword states that Annexes A, B, C and K are normative, while Annexes D to J are informative.
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| A | Virtual testing report template |
| K | Ranking table and star rating for model evaluation |
What are the key requirements of SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026?
The amendment makes the virtual test process more traceable and more comparable with physical testing. The main practical result is that the numerical model, the physical test item and the report must all line up with the same validation logic.
Model content and scope
Clause 3 updates the definition of vehicle restraint system so it includes devices tested according to EN 1317-1, EN 1317-2, EN 1317-3, CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, CEN/TS 1317-9:2023 or CEN/TR 1317-10:2023. In practice, this sets the boundary of what hardware can be assessed under the document.
Clause 5 requires a ranking table for overall conformity according to Annex K. That means the model is not only described, but also scored against the standard’s requirements.
Validation against physical tests
Clause 8 aligns the validation tests with the methods and criteria used for terminals and related roadside devices. The amendment ties the test vehicle, impact conditions and test methods to EN 1317-1 and CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, so the virtual case can be checked against a comparable physical case.
For terminals, Table 4 checks both qualitative and quantitative behaviour, including containment level, rollover, redirection zone, failure of longitudinal elements, failure modes, penetration into the vehicle and lateral displacement. In practice, the virtual model must reproduce the critical crash behaviour, not just the final position.
Verification criteria and reporting
Annex K divides evaluation into five sections: vehicle model, vehicle restraint system or passive safety device model, comparison table, verification evaluation criteria and reporting. Deviations are converted into penalty points, and the final section score leads to a five-star rating or non-compliant result. If a requirement cannot be met in a special situation, the deviation must be explained and agreed by an independent expert.
Annex A requires the report to include validation parts for each validated test and performance-evaluation parts for each virtual test. It also requires the ranking table, the final score and the star rank, so the report can be reviewed and reused without extra interpretation.
What terms does SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 define?
Virtual testing (VT) is the use of numerical simulation to reproduce vehicle impacts against vehicle restraint systems.
Vehicle restraint system is the tested roadside device category covered by the standard, including the EN 1317 and related terminal and passive safety device references.
Passive safety device is a roadside device assessed in the document together with vehicle restraint systems, with performance classes linked to EN 12767:2019.
Containment level is one of the key impact-performance checks used when comparing virtual and physical results.
Redirection zone is the area used to judge how a terminal or crash cushion redirects the vehicle after impact.
Ranking table is the Annex K scoring method that turns requirement-by-requirement deviations into penalty points and a star rating.
Who uses SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026?
This amendment is used by simulation engineers, crash-test laboratories, roadside safety manufacturers and technical experts who prepare or review virtual crash-test evidence. It also matters to quality managers, certifiers and buyers who need to judge whether a virtual test report is structured and supported well enough to rely on.
What changed in SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 from EN 16303:2020?
- Adds Annex K, which introduces a ranking table and star rating for numerical model conformity.
- Updates the introduction to cover safety barriers, crash cushions, terminals and passive safety devices, and to reference EN 1317-1, EN 1317-2, EN 1317-3, CEN/TS 1317-7:2023 and EN 12767:2019.
- Adds CEN/TS 1317-7:2023 to the references and removes ENV 1317-4:2011.
- Revises the definition of vehicle restraint system.
- Requires a ranking table in Clause 5.
- Revises Clause 8 test methods, comparison criteria and the terminal validation table.
- Updates Annex A so the report includes the ranking table, final score and star rank.
Which standards are used with SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026?
| Standard | What it contributes |
|---|---|
| EN 1317-1:2010 | Base test vehicle and test-method references used throughout the validation process |
| EN 1317-2:2010 | Performance checks used in the comparison tables and initial conditions |
| EN 1317-3:2010 | Safety barrier and crash cushion criteria used in the comparison tables |
| CEN/TS 1317-7:2023 | Terminal performance characterisation and test methods |
| EN 12767:2019 | Passive safety device performance classes used in the ranking table |
| CEN/TS 1317-9:2023 | Part of the expanded vehicle restraint system definition |
| CEN/TR 1317-10:2023 | Part of the expanded vehicle restraint system definition |
What does the SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 document contain?
The document contains comparison tables for safety barriers, crash cushions, terminals, passive safety devices and cars, plus verification criteria such as total energy, hourglass energy and added mass. It also includes the report template in Annex A, with required items such as model descriptions, boundary conditions, impact images, videos, graphs and references.
Annex K provides the penalty-point tables and the five-star ranking system, which are used to summarize how closely a numerical model matches the standard’s requirements.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 08-Nov-2023
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Road restraint systems - Validation and verification process for the use of virtual testing in crash testing against vehicle restraint system". This standard covers: This document defines the accuracy, credibility and confidence in the results of virtual crash test to vehicle restraint systems through the definition of procedures for verification, validation and development of numerical models for roadside safety application. Finally it defines a list of indications to ensure the competences of an expert/organization in the domain of virtual testing.
This document defines the accuracy, credibility and confidence in the results of virtual crash test to vehicle restraint systems through the definition of procedures for verification, validation and development of numerical models for roadside safety application. Finally it defines a list of indications to ensure the competences of an expert/organization in the domain of virtual testing.
SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control; 93.080.30 - Road equipment and installations. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN 16303:2020. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
SIST EN 16303:2020/kprA1:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024
01-oktober-2024
Oprema cest - Postopek validacije in verifikacije računalniške simulacije
preskusnih trčenj v sisteme za zadrževanje vozil
Road restraint systems - Validation and verification process for the use of virtual testing
in crash testing against vehicle restraint system
Rückhaltesysteme an Straßen - Validierungs- und Nachweisverfahren für die Nutzung
von Computersimulationen bei Anprallprüfungen an Fahrzeug-Rückhaltesysteme
Dispositifs de retenue routiers - Processus de vérification et de validation pour lutilisation
dessais virtuels dans les essais de choc contre un dispositif de retenue pour véhicules
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 16303:2020/prA1
ICS:
13.200 Preprečevanje nesreč in Accident and disaster control
katastrof
93.080.30 Cestna oprema in pomožne Road equipment and
naprave installations
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 16303:2020
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA1
July 2024
ICS
English Version
Road restraint systems - Validation and verification
process for the use of virtual testing in crash testing
against vehicle restraint system
Dispositifs de retenue routiers - Processus de Rückhaltesysteme an Straßen - Validierungs- und
vérification et de validation pour l¿utilisation d¿essais Nachweisverfahren für die Nutzung von
virtuels dans les essais de choc contre un dispositif de Computersimulationen bei Anprallprüfungen an
retenue pour véhicules Fahrzeug-Rückhaltesysteme
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 226.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 16303:2020. If this draft becomes an amendment,
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration.
This draft amendment was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 16303:2020/prA1:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024
EN 16303:2020/prA1:2024 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Modification to European foreword . 4
2 Modification to Introduction . 4
3 Modification to Clause 2, “Normative References” . 4
4 Modification to Clause 3, “Terms and definitions” . 4
5 Modification to Clause 5, “Requirements for numerical vehicle model” . 4
6 Modification to Clause 8, “Requirements for validation of virtual testing against test
item” . 4
7 Modification to Annex A, “Virtual testing – Template for report” . 5
8 Addition of Annex K, “Ranking table” . 6
Annex K (normative) Ranking table . 6
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024
EN 16303:2020/prA1:2024 (E)
European foreword
This document (EN 16303:2020/prA1:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 226
“Road equipment”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024
EN 16303:2020/prA1:2024 (E)
1 Modification to European foreword
In the 5th paragraph, add as new 6th bullet:
“— an Annex K, Ranking table (Normative) has been added to provide rules for the evaluation of
numerical models through a stars rating system”
Replace the 6th paragraph with the following one:
“Annexes A, B, C and K are normative and Annexes D to J are informative.”
2 Modification to Introduction
Replace the 1st paragraph with the following:
“This document provides a common basis for the use of virtual testing to reproduce vehicle impacts
against vehicle restraint systems including safety barriers, crash cushions, terminals and passive safety
devices in accordance with the EN 1317-1:2010, EN 1317-2:2010, EN 1317-3:2010,
CEN/TS 1317-7:2023 and the EN 12767:2019.”
3 Modification to Clause 2, “Normative References”
Add the following reference:
CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, Road restraint systems - Part 7: Performance characterisation and test methods for
terminals of safety barriers
Delete the following reference from Clause 2 and throughout the text:
“ENV 1317-4:2011, Road restraint systems – Part 4: Performance classes, impact test acceptance criteria
and test methods for terminals and transitions of safety barriers “
4 Modification to Clause 3, “Terms and definitions”
Replace definition 3.8 with the following:
“3.8
vehicle restraint system
device tested according to EN 1317-1, EN 1317-2, EN 1317-3, CEN/TS 1317-7:2023,
CEN/TS 1317-9:2023 or CEN/TR 1317-10:2023”
5 Modification to Clause 5, “Requirements for numerical vehicle model”
Add as last sentence of 5.3.1:
“A ranking table related to the overall conformity to the requirements of this standard shall be created
according to Annex K.”
6 Modification to Clause 8, “Requirements for validation of virtual testing
against test item”
Replace the entire subclause 8.2.3.1 with the following:
“Vehicle impact tests shall be carried out in compliance with criteria given in CEN/TS 1317-7:2023,
Table 3.
Type and characteristics of vehicles are described in EN 1317-1:2010, 5.2.”
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024
EN 16303:2020/prA1:2024 (E)
Replace the entire subclause 8.2.3.2 with the following:
“Tests shall be carried out according to methods given in EN 1317-1:2010, Clause 5 and in
CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, 5.3.1 and 5.4.”
Replace the entire subclause 8.2.3.3 with the following:
“Tests shall be carried out according to methods given in EN 1317-1:2010, Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8 and in
CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, 5.5.”
Replace the entire subclause 8.2.3.4 with the following:
“Tests shall be carried out according to methods given in EN 1317-1:2010, Clause 5 and in
CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, 5.6.”
Replace the entire subclause 8.2.3.5 with the following:
“Tests shall be carried out according to methods given in EN 1317-1:2010, Clause 5 and in
CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, 5.7.3.”
Replace Table 4 with the following:
Table 4 — Comparison table – Terminals
Qualitative validation requirements - Is VT in accordance with result from
critical behaviour of test vehicle and real test?
item
Containment level (CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, Yes/no
5.3.1 and 5.4)
Rollover (CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, 5.7.3) Yes/no
Redirection zone (CEN/TS 1317-7:2023, Yes/no
5.7.3)
Failure of longitudinal elements Yes/no
Failure modes Yes/no
Penetration of part of the terminal inside Yes/no
the vehicle
Quantitative validation requirements - Is VT in accordance with the requirements
essential characteristics
Lateral displacements criterion (8.3.6) Yes/no
7 Modification to Annex A, “Virtual testing – Template for report”
Replace 1st paragraph of A.1 with the following:
“The report for the virtual testing contains one or more parts related to validation (one for each validated
test) and one or more parts related to the evaluation of new performances (one for each virtual test). Any
missing data shall be justified and the ranking table, according to Annex K, shall be added to the report
including for each section the final score and the related star rank.”
Replace the entire A.2.12 with the following:
“a) Summary of the activity, reporting the main results
b) Ranking table according to Annex K.”
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024
EN 16303:2020/prA1:2024 (E)
8 Addition of Annex K, “Ranking table”
Annex K
(normative)
Ranking table
As already mentioned in 5.3.1, in special situations where requirements criteria provided by the present
standard cannot be satisfied, deviations from the given rules shall be reported and motivations shall be
explained and then checked and agreed by an independent expert.
For each requirement that is not satisfied by the numerical model, a certain amount of points, called
penalty points, are given. The description of the penalty points is reported in Table K.1.
Table K.1 — Penalty points description
Value Description
3 Simplification
5 Minor deviation
7 Important deviation
10 Strong deviation
20 Very strong deviation
The evaluation is divided in 5 sections:
— Vehicle model
— Vehicle restraint system/Passive safety device model
— Comparison table
— Verification evaluation criteria
— Reporting
The penalty points for each section shall be summed up. Once the final section score is obtained, a 5-stars
rating is awarded according to Table K.2.
SIST EN 16303:2020/oprA1:2024
EN 16303:2020/prA1:2024 (E)
Table K.2 — Stars rating
Penalty points in the
Threshold Rank description
relevant section
***** (5-stars) < 5 Top ranking
**** (4-stars) < 10 Good conformity
*** (3-stars) < 20 Low conformity
** (2-stars) < 35 Very low conformity
NC ≥ 35 Non-compliant
The assignment of the penalty points score related to each section requirement is defined in Tables K.3
to Tables K.7.
Table K.3 — Ranking table for Section 1
Penalty
a
Section 1 : Vehicle model
points
Frame/Body 20
Suspension systems, front and
rear
A 3D numerical model of a
Wheels 20
real test vehicle according to
b
1.1 EN 1317-1:2010 or
Steering system 10
EN 12767:2019 including, at
least, the following part
...