Severe coach accident survey

Thomas, C.; Hartemann, F.; Tarriere, C.; Botto, P.; Got, C.; Patel, A.

Affiliations

¹Laboratory of Physiology and Biomechanics of Peugeot SA/Renault (France)

²Orthopaedic Research Institute, Hospital Raymond Poincare (France)

Abstract

Data about severe coach accidents are still limited. More knowledge in this field is required to define safety priorities that designers and manufactures need to consider in future vehicles. Despite the good safety level of coaches, some spectacular accidents nevertheless occur causing serious injuries and death to the users, and these are often brought to the public's attention by the media.

This survey is based on all the fatal coach accidents that occurred in France between 1978 and 1984. The paper describes the causes and accident configurations and analyzes the injury mechanisms. Countermeasures are discussed, and possible ways of minimizing occupant injuries, related to strength of front end structures, seat back improvements, window retention, and fire protection, are suggested

Links

SAE: 856103

Cited Works (2)

Year	Entry
1978	Stansifer RL, Romberg RA. An analysis of accidents involving buses and an assessment of the need for safety belt requirements in such vehicles. In: 22nd Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). July 10-14, 1978; Ann Arbor, MI.203-215.
1977	Davis MM. A study of some schoolbus crashes. In: 21st Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). September 15-17, 1977; Vancouver, BC.188-196.

Cited By (3)

Year	Entry
1994	Botto P, Caillieret MC, Tarrière C, Got C, Patel A. Evaluation of restraint system for coach passengers. In: Proceedings of the 14th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 23-26, 1994; Munich, Germany.1745-1750.
1996	Botto P, Got C. Vehicle rollover and occupant retention. In: Proceedings of the 15th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 13-16, 1996; Melbourne, Australia.1912-1919.
1991	Botto P, Caillieret MC, Patel A, Got C, Tarrière C. Passenger protection in single and double-decker coaches in tipping over. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). November 4-7, 1991; Paris, France.1284-1292.