01206839

Component

http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/163903.aspx

The vast majority of light rail vehicle (LRV) accidents occur with motor vehicles and cyclists–pedestrians. Collisions where the LRV overrides an automobile are all too common, which can lead to negative consequences. First, the override behavior results in significantly greater crush intrusions into the automobile and greater injuries to the automobile occupants. Second, the override collision has the potential to produce much more extensive damage to the LRV and greatly increase the repair costs and time before the vehicle is placed back in service. Finally, the override collision has a much higher potential to derail the LRV or create higher crash decelerations that can result in higher injury potential to the LRV occupants. Therefore, there has been a recognized need to investigate methods for improving the safety of passengers in motor vehicles as a consequence of a LRV collision. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has had an ongoing committee with the objective of preparing safety standards for structural design requirements of heavy rail, light rail, and streetcar car bodies. The standard for light rail and streetcar car bodies (referred to as RT-1) was approved by the committee at the end of 2008 and is currently in release for public comment. This ASME RT-1 committee recognized the need to include appropriate LRV and streetcar leading end design criteria in the standard to protect the motor vehicle occupants. The determination of LRV front-end safety requirements to reduce injuries was difficult within the ASME RT-1 effort due to the lack of research and data regarding these accidents. The Crash Energy Management Subcommittee of the ASME, with responsibility for planning a way forward in this regard, succeeded in obtaining Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) funding for a research project (C-17) with the aim of establishing a foundation and rationale for structural specifications of LRVs that would guide development of a standard.

01206823

English

pp 252-265

2010-7

Transportation Research Circular

Joint International Light Rail Conference: Growth and Renewal

Web

Figures (18) ; Photos (1) ; References (10)

Automobiles; Crashes; Crashworthiness; Light rail vehicles; Streetcars; Underride override crashes; Vehicle design; Vehicle safety

Safety standards; Vehicle incompatibility; Vehicle intrusion

Public Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety

TRIS, TRB

Oct 7 2010 2:23PM

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