2006-11-29 21:04:21 · 21 answers · asked by JKnight81 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Rail
Mythbusters actually tested this, although they did it with plane seats and people facing forward and backwards.
When you're facing backwards, your body can take the higher g forces of facing backwards, but then your face is exposed to all the debris flying forward.
When you are facing forward (and belted in), your body can distribute the forces as you are jerked forward, so its still safe, but it has the added benefit that your face and chest are protected by your back from flying debris. Also, you double over when you face forward and are belted in, so its like ducking. If you are facing backwards, the seat will keep you upright and you'll be a bigger target.
http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_killer_brace_posit.html
Since most trains don't have seat belts, I'd say you're still better facing forward because if you are thrown forward you are still able to deflect the forces of the crash better.
2006-11-30 00:45:14 · answer #1 · answered by Say 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, that depends where you are in the train. It's best to be nearer to the middle of the train, however then face backwards because there will be no whiplash movement. Were you facing forward, you would be launched from your seat. However, the number of major train crashes a year are phenomally low compared to aeroplanes and cars.
Hope this has helped.
2006-12-03 16:27:59 · answer #2 · answered by Jean-Paul J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming a head-on collision, it is better to be seated 2/3rds of the way towards the back of the train, facing away from the direction of travel.
The train will come to an abrupt stop and the deceleration will be high. If you were facing forward your inertia would carry you forward and you would injure yourself in the objects in front of you.
By facing backwards, there is no room for your neck to flex upon impact, since the seatback will be in the way. So, no possibility of whiplash.
In terms of the train itself, one can imagine that it will concertina upon impact. The front carriage or carriages will crush under the impact and the momentum of the back carriages will carry them into the middle carriages, causing them to displace and derail. The centre carriages should be able to use the crushing of the front carriages as a spring damper brake, so they are less likely to derail (if you imagine the front carriages as 'spongey' for this purpose, since they will be folding and compressed under the shock).
Clearly there is no 'safe' place, however, as the loading of the train, engine locations, material composition and direction/force of impact will be such an influential factor. A 4 carriage train colliding head-on with an express train at 110mph will wipe you out wherever you sit. What matters on longer trains is the 'give' between carriages that allows the train to compress a little and absorb the impact.
Others who suggest it may be safer to sit forwards so as to protect you against flying debris from behind you seem to ignore the fact that most trains don't have seatbelts - and so it is infinitely more preferable for you to have objects hitting you on your front than it is for you to be hitting objects in front of you, face on!
2006-11-30 08:50:17 · answer #3 · answered by bunglejemson 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Should you be unfortunate enough to be in a head on crash, sitting with your back to the impact would be preferable as the seat will absorb your forward momentum and you won't go flying head first into what ever is in front of you.
2006-12-03 08:25:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's best not to be on the rain :-) seriously though, your body can withstand more Gs when sitted facing the opposite direction of travel, assuming that the seats are adequately designed to support you. In a nut shell, sit as far back in the train as you can, facing the back of the train, the more stuff between you and the point of collision, the better your chances of survival
2006-11-30 11:06:14 · answer #5 · answered by al b 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
its best to be AT the rear of the train and FACEING the rear, as the seat will stop you with less damage to your body...
but i find in a train crash, that its best to be in your car..... out of the way
2006-11-30 05:08:27 · answer #6 · answered by Bmp1ksh 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In any type of speed crash its best to face the rear...
2006-11-30 05:14:45 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Facing the rear, your seat should absorb the energy of your deceleration.
If you absolutely must sit facing forward (direction of travel), try to sit opposite someone who is fairly pneumatic, such as Jordan. Her breasts should absorb your kinetic energy.
2006-12-02 04:30:36 · answer #8 · answered by Debbie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its highly unlikely to be in head on train crash ond sustain injury i work as a signaller and this incident would be 1 in 1000000
2006-12-02 09:11:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Front. You might have some chance if your at the front. If you are at the back, the last few carriages would pile up due to the force of the impact and would be derailed while the front carraiges would remain on the track.
2006-11-30 05:07:03 · answer #10 · answered by specs appeal 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋