1. Sleeper coaches Martin Hellung-Larsen
Transmitted by the expert from Denmark
Informal Document No. GRSP-42-37
(42nd GRSP, December 2007,
agenda item 18(d))
Sleeper coaches
Martin Hellung-Larsen
Danish Road Safety and Transport Agency
Tlf
GRSP, Geneva december 2007

2. Sleeper coaches in Denmark: brief history
Sleeper coaches have had some popularity in Denmark, particularly for skiing tourist travelling overnight to and from the Alps.
Usually fitted with ordinary seats that can be converted into horisontal berths.

3. 2 serious accidents in 2004
In 2004 two serious accidents with Danish sleeping coaches took place in Germany. Following these accidents, the Danish requirements were tightened.

4. Tightened requirements
Following the accidents, Denmark introduced a requirement for safety partitions in front of all berths based on old German requirements. At the same time we required a speedometer to be fitted visible to the passengers because sleeper coaches are allowed to drive only 80 km/h.
Still, however, little protection against ejection in the case of roll-over is provided. In GRSG, the idea of requiring sleeper coaches to be fitted with windows made from safety glazing has been discussed. If the windows were hinged also, then they could also be used as emergency exits. This idea, however, has not gained sufficient support.
I will now show a video to give you an idea of the kind of protection a safety partition provides in a frontal collision.
FILM

5. Restraint system for horizontal use
Some kind of restraint system is a ”must”. A rather sturdy design of the convertible seat is required if the belt is attached to the seat structure.
Safety is of course paramount, but comfort is equally important. We turn 40 times per night and if the restraint system is uncomfortable, people will not use it. Quick evaucuation is also a concern.

6. How about a safety bag?
A creative person in Denmark has come up with the idea of using safety bags that would be attached to the seat structure. The seats would need to be more sturdy than those shown on the picture above.

7. Testing the safety bag
The inventor even put a special wooden dummy into the safety bag and let it drop from varying heights to simulate different collision speeds

8. Parachute-type belt
I would now like to show you a short film of a test of a Parachute-type belt. This particular type of belt would not be attached to the seat structure but to the coach floor.
The test was made using an instrumented standard dummy designed for ordinary seats.
What you cannot see on the film is that the passenger is actually able to turn while wearing the belt. Mr. Østergaard will demonstrate this.
VISE FILM MED KOLLISIONSTEST
We are concerned about the impact on the rather vital parts in the crotch region which would be better protected if people were placed with the head forward. Then the shoulders would stop the forward movement.

9. International rules on sleeper coaches
Upright position (as seat): existing regulations must be complied with (seat, seat belts and anchorages)
Horizontal position:
Comfortable restraint system must be provided.
Similar strength requirements to normal seats.
The restraint system itself: how do we test it? Do we need a special dummy and test procedure?
I would like to conclude by presenting to you the key points that need to be dealt with if we are to make international rules that would make it possible to approve special sleeper coaches.
It seems to me that the crucial point is the restraint system itself and the protection it provides. It is easy to set up requirements for the seat structure.

10. Thank you for your attention !