Frontal Crash Protection for Bus Drivers: Simulation-Based Assessment of Test Methods and Structural Countermeasures Frontkollisjonsbeskyttelse for bussjåfører - Simuleringsbasert vurdering av testmetoder og strukturelle tiltak

This study assesses structural countermeasures and representative test methods to improve bus driver protection in frontal collisions using finite element simulations. Bus-to-bus impacts with varying overlap and angles, as well as narrow rigid barrier and pole impact configurations, were analysed and found to better reproduce localized intrusion and energy concentration than existing regulatory tests. A reinforced driver crash-box was developed and integrated into a low-floor city bus model; simulations indicate a 50–60% reduction in steering column intrusion in the simulated scenarios, but also show higher peak decelerations that may increase occupant loads if energy is not absorbed by deformation and restraint systems. The results inform potential voluntary solutions and future international regulatory discussions.