Citation

Chatterjee S, Carney J. Transp. Res. Rec. 1996; 1531: 1-12.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.3141/1531-01

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The results of computer simulations of passenger train collisions in which train coaches with unoccupied, crushable end zones are used to dissipate the collision energy are presented. The proper design of these crush zones and the passenger compartment features are shown to result in a controlled distribution of the crush along the length of the impacting trains and a reduction of the accelerations to which trains' occupants are subjected. The main design parameters for these crushable zones are studied for a variety of train configurations, coach load versus deformation characteristics, and inter-coach gaps. It is shown that well-designed crushable zones can absorb collision energy in a predictable manner, reducing the probability of occupant injuries and fatalities.

Language: en