Rail vehicle crashworthiness in the United Kingdom has developed over the past 15 years or so and is based on lessons learned from accident statistics and specific multifatality accidents. Recent UK accidents and developments in rolling stock design and operation require a review of current specifications and consideration of practicable changes to enhance crashworthiness in the future.
This paper reviews ‘watershed’ UK accidents which have shaped vehicle crashworthiness design so far and the recent accidents which are likely to do so in the future. It begins with an overview of crashworthiness principles and accident statistics.
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