Train-to-Train Impact Test of Crash-Energy Management Passenger Rail Equipment: Structural Results

PDFProceedingsIMECE2006-13597Prototype testsCollisionsCabs (Vehicle compartments)CrashworthinessImpact testsLoad testsCompression testsPassenger carsCommuter carsLocomotivesAmerican Society of Mechanical EngineersTyrell, DavidJacobsen, KarinaPerlman, A. BenjaminJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)Tufts UniversityNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-RAIL TRANSPORTATIONVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterOn March 23, 2006, a full-scale test was conducted on apassenger rail train retrofitted with newly developed cab endand non-cab end crush zone designs. This test was conductedas part of a larger testing program to establish the degree ofenhanced performance of alternative design strategies forpassenger rail crashworthiness. The alternative design strategyis referred to as crash energy management (CEM), where thecollision energy is absorbed in defined unoccupied locationsthroughout the train in a controlled progressive manner. Bycontrolling the deformations at critical locations the CEM trainis able to protect against two dangerous modes of deformation:override and large-scale lateral buckling.The CEM train impacted a standing locomotive-led train ofequal mass at 31 mph on tangent track. The interactions at thecolliding interface and between coupled interfaces performedas expected. Crush was pushed back to subsequent crush zonesand the moving passenger train remained in-line and upright onthe tracks with minimal vertical and lateral motions.The added complexity associated with this test overprevious full-scale tests of the CEM design was the need tocontrol the interactions at the colliding interface between thetwo very different engaging geometries. The cab end crushzone performed as intended because the locomotive couplerpushed underneath the cab car buffer beam, and the deformableanti-climber engaged the uneven geometry of the locomotiveanti-climber and short hood. Space was preserved for theoperator as the cab end crush zone collapsed.The coupled interfaces performed as predicted by theanalysis and previous testing. The conventional interlockinganti-climbers engaged after the pushback couplers triggeredand absorbed the prescribed amount of energy. Load wastransferred through the integrated end frame, and progressivecontrolled collapsed was contained to the energy absorbers atthe roof and floor level. The results of this full-scale test haveclearly demonstrated the significant enhancement in safety forpassengers and crew members involved in a push modecollision with a standing locomotive train