Elements of passive safety of railway vehicles in collision

Abstract

Measures for passive safety of railway vehicles in collision were analysed in this paper. A short review of safety measures of frontal glass and frontal sheet cover and requirements for anti-climb devices and the case of collision with road vehicles is given. Requirements for energy absorption of the bearing structure during collision are considered in more detail. Possible absorption elements are analysed. The results of laboratory testing of two absorption element types for energy absorption – pipe elements with openings that are smashed during deformation and elements that widen during deformation – are presented. A proposal for a crashworthy frontal part design of a diesel motor unit is given with incorporated elements for energy absorption.

Keywords:

• Passive safety
• frontal collision
• crashworthiness
• energy absorption elements
• testing