Window Impact Forces from Occupants during Motor Coach Rollover

The objective of this study was to numerically simulate a motor coach rollover event, predict the motion of unrestrained passengers during this event, and determine the force generated on the window glazing from passenger impact. Using the knowledge gained in this study, it is hoped that window designs can be improved with the intent that they do not fail from passenger impact loads. This would reduce the number of passenger ejections from motor coaches during rollovers, and thus, save lives. For the event and scenarios analysed, the range of impact forces between the window glazing and dummy was between 3400 N (770 lb) and 5500 N (1240 lb). The highest impact force of 5500 N (1240 lb) occurred for scenario 1 where a single dummy impacts the window. The lateral speed that produced the maximum forces on the glazing for this scenario was approximately 30 kph. Recommended future research includes a detailed study of the fabrication of the windows, use of a dummy to perform numerical analyses of impact loads over time as well as instantaneous peak forces, development of a test for window glazing that is representative of actual passenger impacts, and assessment of occupant injury risks due to impact with glazing.