Rail Crashworthiness
How EN 15227 and related standards govern rail vehicle crashworthiness — collision scenarios, energy absorption and occupant survival space.
What is it?
EN 15227 defines crashworthiness requirements for railway vehicles. It specifies collision scenarios (two identical trains, train with obstacle, level crossing), energy absorption targets and occupant survival space requirements. The vehicle end structure must absorb energy in a controlled manner while preserving the passenger compartment.
Key concepts
- Collision scenarios: defined impact conditions with specific speeds and obstacle configurations
- Energy absorption: anti-climber and crash absorbers at vehicle ends
- Survival space: passenger compartment must not deform beyond defined limits
- Anti-overriding: prevent one vehicle overriding another in collision
Why it matters to engineering analysis
Explicit dynamic FEA models the collision scenarios, predicting energy absorption, deceleration and survival space deformation. The analysis supports the design of crash elements (honeycomb, tube absorbers) and confirms that the passenger compartment remains intact.