Frazer-Nash has been appointed by the Hyundai-Rotem Company to assess the crashworthiness of new trains being developed for use in South Korea. 

The design concept being developed is for a new commuter train, constructed mainly using aluminium.  Initially destined for South Korea, it is thought that the design could also be used elsewhere in the world.

Frazer-Nash will undertake a programme of structural analysis work to investigate the effects of a number of collision scenarios to the latest applicable Euronorms.  The investigative work will focus on understanding how the kinetic energy is absorbed on impact and the likely cab and carriage deformation.

Graeme Anderson at Frazer-Nash commented:
“Rail accidents are thankfully rare, but when they do occur they can involve collisions at significant velocities.  Most structural deformation in such a collision typically occurs in the cab area, so the driver of the train is usually in a particularly vulnerable position.  Our focus is on ensuring that the new train design is sufficient to reduce this deformation and therefore protect the driver as much as possible. 

“It is also vital to reduce the rate of deceleration of the passenger compartments as much as possible whilst ensuring that sufficient kinetic energy can be absorbed in the impact.”