Crashworthiness Evaluation of Light Rail Vehicle Interiors

https://doi.org/10.21949/15035422011PDFTech ReportFTA Report No. 0005FTA KS-26-7008Light rail vehiclesCrashworthinessPassenger securityRailroad safetyTransit safetyResearch reportsCase studiesInfrastructureSafetyKansasUnited States. Federal Transit Administration. Office of Research, Demonstration, and InnovationOlivares, GerardoNational Institute for Aviation Research (U.S.)United States. Federal Transit Administration. Office of Research, Demonstration, and InnovationFederal Transit AdministrationStatistically, light rail transit (LRT) systems have higher injury rates on a per\u2010passenger\u2010mile basis than heavy rail and commuter rail systems, because in most cities, light rail vehicles (LRVs) operate on city streets. Passenger safety is dependent on the configuration and severity of the accident, as well as the degree of crashworthiness engineered in the overall vehicle design. Passengers can be injured or killed as the result of two main mechanisms that arise because of sudden acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle, or because of mechanical damage to the vehicle structure. These mechanisms are the following: (1) primary collision of the vehicle with another vehicle or obstacle, which results in two main outcomes: occupant\u2010compartment crush and consequent reduction of survival space, or penetration of the compartment by parts of the impacting vehicle; and (2) secondary impacts between the occupant and the interior of the vehicle (compartment interior surfaces, other occupants, or loose objects) that occur after initiation of the primary collision. The objective of this research is to identify the injury mechanisms to passengers in LRVs and to propose future areas of research that will lay the foundation necessary to generate transit rail vehicle interior design guidelines that enhance the safety of passengers during collisions. Results of this study show that the most common and severe injuries to LRV passengers involve the head, neck (neck extension, flexion, shear, and compression), and femur (compression) regions. These injuries are primarily the result of body\u2010to\u2010body contact between unrestrained passengers and/or body\u2010to\u2010seat structure contacts. 14. SUBJECT TERMS Light Rail Vehicle, Transportation Safety, Crashworthiness, Occupant Protection, Injury Biomechanics, LRV Interiors, Design Guidelines.85