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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently tested new safety systems and devices designed to protect commuter-rail passengers during a train crash at Transportation Technology Center Inc.’s (TTCI) test track in Pueblo, Colo.

The main system, Crash-Energy Management, features crush zones that absorb the force of a crash to protect passengers and train operators. The crush zones’ reinforced frames act as bumpers to distribute crash forces throughout an entire train.

“The new system turns once-rigid train cars into giant shock absorbers that help protect a train’s crew and passengers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta in a prepared statement.

TTCI researchers recently tested a locomotive and passenger cars carrying crash test dummies equipped with computers to record the force exerted on the abdominal, head and neck areas during a crash.

TTCI also tested couplers designed to retract and absorb energy to keep trains upright on tracks during a crash, and analyzed seats and chairs featuring special padding and crushable edges.

The new safety system could more than double the speed at which all passengers can survive a train crash from 15 mph to 36 mph. The new equipment also could reduce crumpling of the first car from 22 feet to three feet.

The USDOT currently is developing new standards for train cars equipped with the Crash-Energy Management system. Last month, Metrolink ordered 54 trailer and 33 lead-position cab cars equipped with the system from Rotem Co.