Passenger Rail Train-to-Train Impact Test Volume II: Summary of Occupant Protection Program

On January 31, 2002, a train-to-train collision test was conducted involving a cab-car-led consist with three coach cars, all of conventional design, and a trailing locomotive traveling at 30 mph into a stationary locomotive coupled with two ballasted freight cars. The objective of this test was to determine the corresponding level of occupant safety for that impact scenario. In this test, the two leading cars and locomotive were equipped with instrumented anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) in four interior seating arrangements as follows: (1) two forward-facing M-style seats, each with three unrestrained ATDs in the back-row seat (one set in the leadcab car, one in the trailing car); (2) two forward-facing intercity seats with two unrestrained ATDs in the back-row seat and two restrained ATDs in the front-row seat that was modified with seat belts and energy absorbing devices; and (3) one unrestrained ATD in a locomotive operator seat. The principal goal of this full-scale rail car and locomotive test and the overall test program was to obtain scientific data to define a realistic rail car crash pulse, structural response, and corresponding level of occupant safety.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8845
• Corporate Authors:

  Simula Technologies, Incorporated

  10016 South 51st Street
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85044

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Federal Railroad Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • VanIngen-Dunn, Caroline
• Publication Date: 2003-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 208p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash tests; Crashworthiness; Locomotives; Occupant protection devices; Railroad safety; Railroad transportation; Safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Anthropomorphic test devices; Passenger rail; Train-to-train collisions
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01055660
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FRA/ORD-03/17.II, DOT/VNTSC-FRA-03-07.II
• Contract Numbers: RR328/R3067
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 20 2007 1:03PM