C IV Class Tram Crashworthiness Assessment

The increasing number of accidents involving urban light rail vehicles makes the crashworthiness of this means of transport an issue of considerable importance. Simulations show that the new AnsaldoBreda Sirio-Milan tram fulfils the European crashworthiness requirements for railway vehicle bodies. The impact scenarios in prEN 15227 are less severe than those prescribed by Italian requirements for tramway and light rail system, UNI 11174. In this respect, an additional impact scenario is considered and structural changes to enhance the crashworthiness of the tram are proposed. Furthermore, the feasibility of a novel safety device intended to prevent serious injury to the driver even in the most severe of crashes is investigated.