Reducing the Harm in Rail Crashes: Analysis of Injury Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

Twenty-three commuter and inter-city passenger train accidents, which occurred over the past twenty years, have been analyzed. The analysis has assessed the potential effectiveness of various injury mitigation strategies. The strategies with the greatest potential to increase passenger safety are interior occupant protection, coupler integrity, end structure integrity, side structure integrity, and glazing system integrity. We recommend that these strategies be researched further.