PHYSICS OF COLLISSIONS

The physical basis is set forth of collision analysis and rail car structure design. Special cases and idealized conditions are considered, and conclusions drawn are listed. The damage to any given car in a collision is not dependent on which car is moving or on which car is heavier, but on the car's structural strength. The total damage is dependent on weight of cars; there is less energy to be absorbed when cars are lighter. Perfectly rigid cars will not protect passengers from injuries due to collision. The energy absorbing front ends are probably practical up to about a 20 mph crash. However, there will be injury to passengers not "attached" to cars. Since this would require, for example, the elimination of standees, it is not practical for transit or commuter cars.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transit Development Corporation, Incorporated

  1730 M Street, NW, Suite 911
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Publication Date: 1974

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: 10 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash injury research; Crashes; Energy absorption; Injuries; Loss and damage; Passengers; Physics; Railroad cars; Research; Safety; Safety equipment; Structural design; Vehicle front end
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safety features
• Subject Areas: Highways; Passenger Transportation; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00084990
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 500-6 Monograph
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 10 1975 12:00AM