Editing Van (section)

==Use==
[[File:2009-03-10 Van equipped for professional carpet cleaning.jpg|thumb|right|A [[ Chevrolet]] van equipped with professional carpet cleaning tools]]

In urban areas of the United States, full-size vans have been used as ''commuter vans'' since 1971, when Dodge introduced a van that could transport up to 15 passengers. Commuter vans are used as an alternative to [[carpool]]ing and other ride-sharing arrangements.

Many mobile businesses use a van to carry almost their entire business to various places where they work. For example, those who come to homes or places of business to perform various services, installations, or repairs. Vans are also used to shuttle people and their luggage between [[hotel]]s and [[airport]]s, to transport [[commuter]]s between [[parking]] lots and their places of work, and along established routes as minibusses. Vans are also used to transport elderly and mobility-impaired worshipers to and from church services or to transport youth groups for outings to amusement parks, picnics, and visiting other churches. Vans are also used by schools to drive sports teams to [[intramural]] games. Vans have been used by touring music groups to haul equipment and people to music venues around the country.

=== Full-size van ===
''Full-size van'' is a [[marketing]] term used in North America for a van larger than a minivan, that is characterized by a large, boxy appearance, a short hood, and heavy cargo and passenger-hauling capability. 

The first full-size van was the 1969 [[Ford E-Series|Ford Econoline]],{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} which used components from the [[Ford F-Series]] [[pickup truck|pickup]]s. [[General Motors]] and the [[Dodge Ram Van]] followed with designs with the engines placed further forward, and succeeding generations of the Econoline introduced longer hoods.

===Step van===
{{Main|Multi-stop truck}}
[[File:Fedex-truck-Chicago.jpg|right|thumb|A [[Federal Express]] step van]]

Another type of van specific to North America is the ''[[step van]],'' named because of the design to facilitate users to step in and out of the vehicle. Widely used by delivery services, courier companies, and the parcel division of the US Postal Service and Canada Post, they are often seen driven with the door open. Step vans have more boxy shapes, wider bodies, and higher rooftops than other vans, and are rarely employed for carrying passengers. 

===Minivan===
{{Main|Minivan}}
[[File:2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite -- 04-18-2011.jpg|thumb|A 2011 [[Honda Odyssey (North America)|Honda Odyssey]] minivan. Compared to other vans, minivans are smaller and have a lower center of gravity.]]
The Minivan is a van which is smaller in size in length and height than a full-size van. Minivans are often used for personal use, as well as commercial passenger operations such as [[Taxi|taxis]] and shuttles, and cargo operations like delivery of mail and packages. They offer more cargo space than traditional [[Sedan (automobile)|sedans]] and [[SUV|SUVs]]. Their lower center of gravity is also useful in handling and rollover prevention.

===Rollover safety===
A van is taller than a typical passenger car, resulting in a higher [[center of gravity]]. The suspension is also higher to accommodate the weight of 15 passengers, who can weigh over one ton alone. In the United States, it is common for only the front seat passengers to use their [[safety belt]]s. The U.S. [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]] (NHTSA) has determined that belted passengers are about four times more likely to survive in rollover crashes.

Safety can be improved by understanding the unique characteristics of 12- and 15-passenger vans and by following guidelines developed for their drivers, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/studies/15PassVans/index.htm|title=Passenger Van Safety |website=nhtsa.dot.gov |access-date=8 May 2012|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090724152125/http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/studies/15PassVans/Index.htm |archive-date=24 July 2009}}</ref>

===Safety equipment===
Many commercial vans are fitted with [[cargo barrier]]s behind the front seats (or rear seats, if fitted) to prevent injuries caused by unsecured cargo in the event of sudden deceleration, collision, or a rollover. Cargo barriers in vans are sometimes fitted with doors permitting the driver to pass through to the cargo compartment of the vehicle.
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