Motorcoach Side Glazing Retention Research.

摘要

In 2003, NHTSA and Transport Canada entered into a joint research program conducted by Martec Limited that focused on preventing unrestrained occupant ejections during motorcoach rollovers by improving standard window glazing and retention. Through computer simulation the Martec study (MS) determined that the impact velocity of an occupant striking the glazing was as much as 21.6 km/h (13.4 mph). Results from this research aided in the development of a dynamic test device of 26 kg (57 lb) mass that represents the torso of the 50th percentile adult male side impact dummy (US-SID). A section of a Motor Coach Industries (MCI) 1993 102D motorcoach was used by the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) to conduct impact tests at the center of the window and near the latch at different impact speeds. In center impacts, no windows with tempered glass broke and no windows opened under the MS impact conditions (26 kg at 21.6 km/h). In near-latch impacts, all latches opened when struck at the MS conditions. Testing was expanded to other motorcoach manufacturers and coach series to establish fleet baseline performance. Market share studies indicated that the fleet was well represented by conducting tests on a Prevost model H3-45, Van Hool model C2045, and MCI E/J-series, in addition to the MCI D-series line. Testing was conducted on glazing mounted to test frames that represented the side passenger window frames for each of the three manufacturers. Windows from all three manufacturers exhibited latch openings in near-latch tests on production latches at MS conditions.