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Re: What are the Lessons from the Metrolink Crash for SMART
Author: OldPoleBurner
Date: 09-17-2008 - 23:28
Federal standards already are what they are!
They are intended to prevent the most catastrophic failures that almost always result in certain death; specifically, "telescoping" and "over-climbing". Both of which occurred here, severely. Generally, this means the the vehicle will have to be designed to absorb the kinetic forces by crumpling up, not by splitting open. This is a design trade off required to assure the best chance of survivability for the passenger should the unthinkable happen - as It did here.
Most of the time in the last eighty to ninety years that the standards have been around, that has been achieved fairly well (and it was not cost prohibitive). Given the severe disintegration of this particular vehicle, it is obvious the the standards failed in this case, or the vehicle did not meet the standards, or both - period.
The point was simply that the NTSB will be looking at that question very hard. The whole purpose of such an investigation is to learn how to prevent future occurrences or at least minimize the deadly consequences should all else fail. Would you have it any other way - I hope not.
The NTSB will give recommendations based on their scientific findings; after a thorough and independent investigation. I will - I assure you - as I always am, be paying close attention - as it is important to my profession that I learn the lessons to be learned from any such incident.
OPB
They are intended to prevent the most catastrophic failures that almost always result in certain death; specifically, "telescoping" and "over-climbing". Both of which occurred here, severely. Generally, this means the the vehicle will have to be designed to absorb the kinetic forces by crumpling up, not by splitting open. This is a design trade off required to assure the best chance of survivability for the passenger should the unthinkable happen - as It did here.
Most of the time in the last eighty to ninety years that the standards have been around, that has been achieved fairly well (and it was not cost prohibitive). Given the severe disintegration of this particular vehicle, it is obvious the the standards failed in this case, or the vehicle did not meet the standards, or both - period.
The point was simply that the NTSB will be looking at that question very hard. The whole purpose of such an investigation is to learn how to prevent future occurrences or at least minimize the deadly consequences should all else fail. Would you have it any other way - I hope not.
The NTSB will give recommendations based on their scientific findings; after a thorough and independent investigation. I will - I assure you - as I always am, be paying close attention - as it is important to my profession that I learn the lessons to be learned from any such incident.
OPB
