European Safety Award for Volvo Trucks traffic safety expert

Lennart Svenson, who was Head of Volvo Truck Accident Research Team at Volvo Truck Corporation for many years, has been honoured with the European Safety Award for Commercial Vehicles. Among former prize-winners are engineers and researchers from all over the world.

The European Safety Award for Commercial Vehicles is conferred by the European Association for Accident Research and Analysis (EVU), the German Road Safety Council (DVR) and DEKRA, an internationally operating technical organisation committed to safety and quality. The award is presented to internationally renowned experts who have distinguished themselves in the field of commercial vehicle safety.

“Lennart Svenson is receiving the award in recognition of his safety work within Volvo Truck Corporation. He has made an outstanding contribution to the safety of commercial vehicles worldwide,” said Professor Dr - Ing. Egon-Christian von Glasner, President of the EVU at the award ceremony staged at the 6th International DEKRA Symposium in Germany.

Lennart Svenson embarked on his professional career in 1966 at the Volvo Truck Corporation in Gothenburg as a development engineer for special vehicles and buses.

In 1969, the Volvo Truck Accident Research Team was established. Lennart Svenson got involved early, conducting research on real-life accidents, the analysis of accident data and the definition of safety objectives. He also participated in developing new test methods for truck safety.

“The Accident Research Team has investigated thousands of accidents during the years and represents a great base of knowledge. It has been, and still is, an important factor in the traffic safety work at Volvo Trucks,” said Lennart Svenson at the award ceremony.

In order to provide and spread key information about accidents involving heavy trucks, Volvo Trucks has published a series of reports in which Lennart Svenson has had a part to play as a researcher, developer and author. His work became the model for a whole generation of accident researchers and vehicle safety experts in the Eighties and Nineties, particularly in the field of heavy commercial vehicles.

The strength of the truck driver’s cab under accident conditions, the safety belt and airbag in the truck as well as protection of car occupants, motorcyclists and pedestrians in impacts with a truck, are examples of the areas in which Lennart Svenson and his team had a major influence and contributed to further developments. The possibilities of accident avoidance by implementing active safety measures were also examined.

“In the future, greater emphasis will be given to the field of active safety in order to continually improve the level of vehicle and road safety,” continued Lennart Svenson.

In 1985 Lennart Svenson became Head of the Group for Driver Environment and Traffic Safety, within Product Planning, and in 1996 he also was appointed Chief Engineer Traffic Safety. He retired on December 31st, 2002, aged 60.

“I’m personally very pleased to receive this award. I see it as recognition of the consistent, on-going and highly prioritised safety work at Volvo Trucks. I share the award with all my former colleagues who are all very committed to keeping Volvo Trucks in the lead when it comes to safety,” concludes Lennart Svenson.