Citation :

Siti Salwa Salleh, Siti Zaharah Ishak, Najwa Shaari, Abdul Rauf Abdul Rasam,Wan Mazlina Wan Mohamed, Nur Farizan Taruddin, "Developing a Road Characteristics Database to Support Vehicle Safety Testing in Alignment with New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Protocols," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), vol. 74, no. 5, pp. 219-237, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V74I5P115

Abstract

Malaysia has been practicing vehicle safety testing based on the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP) and applies region-specific protocols for evaluating devices for safety assist technologies and motorcyclist safety. The testing needs to be conducted in a real-world environment, which is either urban, suburban, or rural roads. However, searching for roads requires a lot of time as the database that compiles the road characteristics is absent. Thus, standardized road characteristics are required. To fulfill this gap, this study is conducted within scoping on seven vehicle safety tests that were analyzed to determine the key parameters that characterize road testing properties. The methods involved a qualitative analysis of the documents, creating 31 distinct attributes containing them, which are codified into a data dictionary covering data types, value ranges, and testing applicability. These characteristics are used to create a data dictionary and conceptual data model that describes the relationship between road features, test specifications, environmental conditions, and infrastructure components. An analysis was made to compare how road characteristics are incorporated in the NCAP programs with a view to gaining a visualization of the parameters that are similar and the region-specific requirements. Semantic clarity and structural appropriateness of any attribute in the model are maintained with the help of expert validation. Pilot study implements the instrument developed based on the initial literature review and attribute analysis to support the data capture appropriately. It undergoes iterative improvement and is evaluated using a pilot study, tests of Google Maps, and on-site reviews to check compliance with ASEAN NCAP protocols. Data is entered into a MySQL-based database through a customized interface, ensuring consistency and preparedness to undergo an analysis. Generally, this study contributes a methodological framework and a road characteristic database development framework to guide regulators, manufacturers, and researchers. A preliminary system input-output architecture is also suggested, which provides the basis to implement it in the future.

Keywords

Data Dictionary, New Car Assessment Program, Road Characteristics, Test Protocol, Vehicle Safety Testing.

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