27.09.07
Belt up-but not on the train
Research by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) into seat belts, windows and the industry approach to escape from passenger trains has produced a surprising finding.
Analysis of seven train accidents in Britain going back to 1996 had found that a number of passengers have been ejected from vehicles and sustained fatal injuries.
Research conducted by the RSSB had highlighted the importance of containing passengers within vehicles during accidents either through the use of seat belts or improved windows. Working with experts from a number of industries in a research programme lasting five years, RSSB research looked at both these areas to assess the benefits and disadvantages in terms of passenger safety.
The first part considered the use of two-point belts-lap belts as used in commercial aviation-and was published in 2005. The second looked at three-point belts-lap and diagonal belts as used in cars-and its findings have just been published.
The evaluation of both types of seat belts involved a suite of full-scale “sled tests” with crash test dummies and computer modelling to evaluate the effect of different seat spacings and different sizes of passengers. The tests directly compared the use of seat belts against modern design crashworthy seats which deform to reduce injury during an accident.
It has found that fitting two-point or three-point belts would, overall, increase passenger injuries and fatalities in a crash situation.
Industry and glass experts agree that laminated glass provides significantly better passenger containment protection in accidents than toughened glass and the rescue services and paramedics they consulted supported the fitment of laminated glass to reduce ejections. They confirmed that they could still access anyone trapped in a train through the new windows.
Anson Jack, RSSB director of policy, research and risk, said the research had taken a very thorough look at passenger survival in train accidents. “The conclusions are that seat belts would, overall, increase passenger injuries in a crash situation, and that progressively fitting laminated glass will bring additional safety advantages. In support of this approach, we have recommended that the industry adopts a common approach to escape in the event of an accident.’
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