Rail accidents, even those that occur at low speeds, can have devastating consequences – in many cases, hundreds of tons of moving mass collide with each other, and carriages crash into each other or even derail. In order to protect passengers and crew members and minimise the consequences of accidents, researchers at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) have developed a new kind of crash concept. It involves the use of special crumple zones, which are located outside the passenger section. In the event of an accident, these crumple in a controlled manner, absorbing a large amount of the energy produced upon impact.

The DLR Institute of Vehicle Concepts in Stuttgart developed the concept, which is part of the extensive research being conducted in the Next Generation Train (NGT). The aim of the project is not only to reduce travel time, but also to make rail transport safer, more comfortable and more environmentally friendly. Lightweight designs and construction play a key role in achieving these objectives – the mass of rail vehicles has a direct impact on energy consumption due to driving resistance. Less weight has a positive impact on cost and environmental factors. Therefore, DLR engineers want to build the lightest possible wagons. This means that a new crash concept is also needed.

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