Abstract
Keywords
Frontal accidents, computer simulations, test methods, ECE Regulation 29
Abstract
Today there are no regulations governing frontal accident situations for buses and coaches. This paper deals with the possibility of using legislations for trucks, where ECE Regulation 29 is applicable. R 29 specifies an energy level of 44 KJ from a pendulum stroke, that shall hit the frontal structure of the truck, where certain survival space requirements for the driver-manikin are specified. Computer simulations were used to predict the outcome of real testing in accordance with R 29. Step by step improvements were carried out with the aim to reach an impact level 50% higher than R 29. Verification tests at 44 and 66 KJ showed good correlation with the computer simulations, but some remarks related to the legislation were noted. E. g. the pendulum structure had to be considerably heavier than the recommendations in the R 29. The manikin specified in the R 29 does not reflect any similarity to a human being in the region of the lower extremities. Instead a 55-percentile test dummy was used. Door arrangements and striking height of the swing bob are other areas where truck and coach condtions vary and thus require further discussions.