Analysis of train driver protection in rail collisions: Part I. Evaluation of injury outcome for train driver in desk impact
Résumé
This two-part paper described the results of the research programme PROCAB for train driver protection during rail collisions. In Part I, a methodology was proposed to analyse driver survivability in train crash. Appropriate experimental devices and associated numerical models were developed which were able to reproduce the loads and accelerations imparted to the train driver and on the interior elements of the driver's cabin. A full validation programme was realised involving correlation between experimental methods and computer model outputs. Experiments and computer results indicated that during a collision, the driver was likely to strike the desk at the lower chest. Since actual desk was extremely rigid due to maintenance requirements, chest deflection exceeded human tolerance. Part II deals with the development of an interior driver protection.