23.08.07
Results of research into seat belts, windows and the industry approach to escape from passenger trains
Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has published the results of research into seat belts, windows and the industry approach to escape from passenger trains.
Britain’s railways are extremely safe and accidents are rare. The measures that we are proposing will, we believe, further improve passenger survivability on those rare occasions when accidents do happen.
Analysis of seven train accidents in Britain going back to 1996 has highlighted that a number of passengers were ejected from vehicles, some of whom received fatal injuries. The research we have conducted, and which is published today, shows the importance of containing passengers within vehicles during accidents. Keeping passengers within vehicles can be achieved 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.
The aim of the research into seat belts was 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 are being published today.
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.
The aim of the research into window requirements was to resolve the conflict between the need for windows to contain passengers during an accident and their potential role in emergency egress or rescue.
Industry and glass experts agreed that laminated glass provides significantly better passenger containment protection in accidents than toughened glass and the rescue services and paramedics we 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 has 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.’
RSSB will now initiate changes to relevant Railway Group Standards through the normal process involving railway industry and public consultation.
Train operators will consider the application of this approach to their own fleets on an individual basis, including issues such as whether to consider changing windows, and when to change signs and remove hammers.
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