Work

Pedestrian Interaction with a Novel Urban Light Rail Vehicle: Implications for Multi-Modal Crash Compatibility Standards

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This work investigates the risk to Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) from a novel light rail vehicle using the pedestrian impact scenario outlined in CEN/TR 17420. At a 20 km/h impact speed, a maximum head impact criterion (HIC15) value of 15.9 was obtained for a 50th-percentile anthropometric test device (ATD), with this value increasing to 120.2 at 30 km/h impact speed. Both results are within the CEN/TR 17420 prescribed limit of 1000. In both cases, the vehicle does not fully comply with CEN/TR 17420 recommendations due to insufficient lateral displacement of the ATD post-impact. A vehicle front-end design—which would be exempt from the CEN/TR 17420 impact testing—was designed and tested to the same framework. Despite being formally exempt from testing, the design also did not fully comply with CEN/TR 17420 lateral displacement requirements. Critical evaluation of the CEN/TR 17420 framework is presented, leading to recommendations about how updated frameworks should take a pragmatic approach in how they define VRUs, and the measurement criteria used for assessing VRU risk in collisions. Discussions are presented considering whether alternative frameworks, such as the Bus Safety Standard, should be applicable to assess the safety of the novel light rail vehicle.

Source: Future Transportation

DOI: 10.3390/futuretransp4040057

Authors: Callum J. D. Bethell, Shubham Sharma, James Winnett, Darren J. Hughes

Institution: University of Warwick

Language: English

Topic: Transportation Safety and Impact Analysis

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,137