In 1989, New South Wales (NSW), experienced the two worst coach crashes in Australia's history. First, a coach to truck crash with a closing speed of approximately 200 km/h where 19 people died. Two months later, a coach to coach crash with again a closing speed of approximately 200 km/h, in which 35 people died. Australia had reviewed world wide research just prior to these crashes, and was about to adopt a regulation similar to ECE 80. Following the first crash, the NSW Road Safety Bureau's Crashlab considered what protection ECE 80 would have offered, if it had been in place. The review found little, if any potential gain. Accordingly, work commenced to refine the development of a seat incorporating a 3-point seat belt which offered protection to 20 g's. In subsequent crashes, it was confirmed that passive 10 g protection would not offer adequate protection. The crashes also verified the belief that a total coach safety package incorporating roll-over strength, emergency exits and 3-point seat belt occupant protection was required. This paper summarizes the findings of five fatal coach accidents, the research conducted on the adequacy of ECE 80, and the future direction of coach safety in Australia. (A)
Abstract