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

Details

• Creators:
  Jeong, David ; Jacobsen, Karina ; Perlman, A. Benjamin
• Corporate Creators:
  John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.) ; Tufts University
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Prototype tests
  • Collisions
  • Cabs (Vehicle compartments)
  • Crashworthiness
  • Impact tests
  • Load tests
  • Compression tests
  • Passenger cars
  • Commuter cars
  • Locomotives
• Publication/ Report Number:
  IMECE2006-13597
• Resource Type:
  Proceedings
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Abstract:
  On March 23, 2006, a full-scale test was conducted on a ; passenger rail train retrofitted with newly developed cab end ; and non-cab end crush zone designs. This test was conducted ; as part of a larger testing program to establish the degree of ; enhanced performance of alternative design strategies for ; passenger rail crashworthiness. The alternative design strategy ; is referred to as crash energy management (CEM), where the ; collision energy is absorbed in defined unoccupied locations ; throughout the train in a controlled progressive manner. By ; controlling the deformations at critical locations the CEM train ; is able to protect against two dangerous modes of deformation: ; override and large-scale lateral buckling. ; The CEM train impacted a standing locomotive-led train of ; equal mass at 31 mph on tangent track. The interactions at the ; colliding interface and between coupled interfaces performed ; as expected. Crush was pushed back to subsequent crush zones ; and the moving passenger train remained in-line and upright on ; the tracks with minimal vertical and lateral motions. ; The added complexity associated with this test over ; previous full-scale tests of the CEM design was the need to ; control the interactions at the colliding interface between the ; two very different engaging geometries. The cab end crush ; zone performed as intended because the locomotive coupler ; pushed underneath the cab car buffer beam, and the deformable ; anti-climber engaged the uneven geometry of the locomotive ; anti-climber and short hood. Space was preserved for the ; operator as the cab end crush zone collapsed. ; The coupled interfaces performed as predicted by the ; analysis and previous testing. The conventional interlocking ; anti-climbers engaged after the pushback couplers triggered ; and absorbed the prescribed amount of energy. Load was ; transferred through the integrated end frame, and progressive ; controlled collapsed was contained to the energy absorbers at ; the roof and floor level. The results of this full-scale test have ; clearly demonstrated the significant enhancement in safety for ; passengers and crew members involved in a push mode ; collision with a standing locomotive train.
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• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9508/dot_9508_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.05 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:159c6bb7717b302074b6a4bc6635c111d67e09be6d3ab3588230479b788335b35b3f5023f720440d1b0260fd7b49c9782d9a62f6051e17aa7af6352884e95d03