Fleet managers received a firsthand look at vehicle crashworthiness and emerging safety technologies during an excursion to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Research Center in Ruckersville, Virginia, on Oct. 20.

Held alongside the 2026 Fleet Forward Conference, the excursion brought together representatives from major automakers, public and private fleets, commercial fleet operators, and roadway-safety organizations.

Attendees toured the research facility, examined vehicles from previous crash tests, witnessed a live frontal collision test, and participated in demonstrations highlighting safety considerations for commercial vehicles.

Art Kinsman, chief strategy officer for the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, shared his thoughts with Automotive Fleet. 

“Beyond the incredible sensory experience of actually witnessing a crash test (you really have to see and hear one to appreciate it!), I was particularly fascinated, from a NETS perspective, by the vehicles used to test side underride protection, including the innovative “AngelWing” system designed to prevent passenger vehicles from sliding beneath tractor-trailers” 

Inside the IIHS Research Center

IIHS President David Harkey opened the visit with an overview of the institute's history, research methods, and role in improving vehicle safety.

Eric Richardson, founder and principal at EBR Safety Solutions, attended the excursion and described the institute's testing procedures and independence from vehicle manufacturers.

"He explained that IIHS is funded by insurance companies across the US and Canada, not by car manufacturers, and that the vehicles it tests are bought off dealer lots through random selection," Richardson said.

The institute conducts several types of crashworthiness testing, including offset frontal collisions, seat belt performance assessments, and evaluations of front and side airbag deployment.

IIHS estimates its work since 1999 has saved more than 50,000 lives on U.S. roads, according to Richardson's account of the visit.

"There is no doubt it has pushed manufacturers to improve crashworthiness and occupant protection, and the changes OEMs have made to their vehicles over the years bear that out," Richardson said.

The research center also provided attendees with a look at how vehicle safety has evolved over the past three decades.

"One highlight was an April 2026 vehicle-to-vehicle test pitting a 1996 Chevy Blazer against a 2026 Chevy Blazer: the older vehicle suffered a catastrophic collapse of the occupant compartment, while the current model kept its cabin intact and its crumple zone absorbed the energy of the collision," Richardson said.

Attendees also examined vehicles involved in rear and side underride testing with tractor-trailers, small- and moderate-overlap crash tests, and crash test dummies used to measure potential occupant injuries.

"I've noticed similar side guards on trucks around Boston, deployed to help protect bicyclists and pedestrians," Kinsman said.

The experience also led to an unexpected connection with someone involved in developing the technology.

"But here's where the story gets interesting. That evening, completely by coincidence, I found myself sitting at dinner next to Robert Martineau of AirFlow Side Guards, one of the people behind the development of the AngelWing technology! What were the odds? We had a terrific conversation about the technology and its potential to save lives, prevent serious injuries, and reduce the enormous human and financial costs of crashes," Kinsman said.

"To me, that perfectly captures Fleet Forward's value: connecting the road safety challenges we're trying to solve, the innovations that can make a difference, and, perhaps most importantly, the people behind those solutions."

Live Crash Test Demonstrates Protection

One of the excursion's central demonstrations was a live frontal crash test involving a 2027 BMW X2.

"No trip to IIHS would be complete without a crash, so we watched a frontal crash test of a 2027 BMW X2 being evaluated for passenger impact," Richardson said.

The test results were not available at the time of the excursion.

Attendees also reviewed IIHS vehicle rating categories, which evaluate safety characteristics including seat belt reminders, headlights, frontal and side crash protection, and pedestrian collision avoidance systems.

These evaluations provide fleet managers with additional information to consider when selecting vehicles and developing safety policies.

Expanding Safety Research to Commercial Vehicles

Beyond passenger vehicles, IIHS is expanding its research into vehicles commonly used in commercial and government fleet operations, including cargo vans and pickup trucks.

"We also heard how IIHS is expanding into vehicles that support commercial and government operations, such as cargo vans and pickups, with testing of automatic braking and pedestrian avoidance systems," Richardson said.

The institute is also examining technologies such as intelligent speed assistance and systems intended to address distracted and impaired driving.

During the visit, attendees participated in hands-on demonstrations involving vans and pickups, with a focus on driver visibility and collision avoidance technology.

"It showed how vehicle design can leave drivers with poor direct vision, how automatic braking can make the difference in surviving a crash or in a vulnerable road user surviving one, and how rear emergency alerts perform in the real world," Richardson said.

Applying IIHS Research to Fleet Safety

The excursion reinforced a message Harkey delivered the following day at the Fleet Forward Conference: Vehicle safety research depends on fleet operators and other transportation stakeholders putting the findings into practice.

"That ties directly to David Harkey’s message at Fleet Forward the next day: IIHS’s work only succeeds if we do our part," Richardson said.

Richardson emphasized the importance of incorporating safety evaluations into fleet purchasing decisions.

"We need to encourage the people who make fleet purchasing decisions to factor in IIHS ratings, evaluations, and Top Safety Pick awards," Richardson said.

He also pointed to participation in initiatives such as the FIA Foundation Road Safety Index and adopting safer vehicle technologies as additional ways organizations can contribute to roadway safety.

IIHS has called for a 30% reduction in U.S. Road fatalities by 2030, according to Richardson's account.

For fleet managers, the excursion highlighted how vehicle selection, crash-avoidance technology, and driver visibility can shape safety outcomes across commercial operations.