SECUREMETRO

Inherently secure blast resistant and fire safe metro vehicles

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Aim

Increased safety and security of metro vehicles from terrorist attacks by explosives and firebombs through materials choices and design, thereby increasing resilience and reducing the impact of attacks on passengers, staff, infrastructure and property. Objectives

The SecureMetro project will consider threats from conventional explosives and firebombs. The four project objectives are:

1. To increase metro vehicle resilience to terrorist bomb blast through selection of vehicle materials and structural design. This will reduce injuries from fragments of vehicle materials and improve structural integrity in blast situations, offering greater security to passengers and staff. This includes enhancing the ability of a vehicle to remain on the track and keep moving so that underground rescue is not required. Contribution to structural integrity standard EN12663 will allow wide and interoperable implementation of vehicles offering security by design.

2. To increase security against a firebomb attack through design of fire barriers and fire suppression technology while also contributing to passenger safety from accidental or vandalism fires. Design of features to prevent the spread of fire and fumes will contribute to standards compliance (prEN 45545 and TS 45545) for fire protection of railway vehicles.

3. Through increasing resilience of vehicles to blast and fire attacks and reduced damage to adjacent vehicles and infrastructure, speed up recovery following attack, allowing the rail system to 'bounce-back' to normal operation quickly.

4. Reduce the attractiveness of metro systems as a target for attack by reducing deaths and injuries, increased resilience, reducing economic impact and making recovery faster. This will be achieved through wide dissemination of the findings of SecureMetro, and promotion of transfer to high speed rail of the vehicle design and technology developed for metro systems.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Underground railway systems are an important part of city living and the potential target of terrorist activities due to high impact. EU-funded scientists developed a fire- and explosion-resistant vehicle to minimise damage and facilitate rescue.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Enhanced security of widely used European metro systems is of paramount importance to the safety of passengers, staff and infrastructure.

EU-funded scientists developed vehicle materials and novel structural designs to protect against conventional explosives and firebombs with the project 'Inherently secure blast resistant and fire safe metro vehicles' (http://www.securemetro.com/ (SECUREMETRO)) . The focus was on containing the impact of the explosion and reducing debris, the main cause of injury and death in such events.

The SECUREMETRO project provided numerous enhancements in the resilience of metro vehicles to explosions and fire. Protective film and bonding on windows ensures that they separate from the body cleanly without shattering. Retaining cables prevent the ceiling panels from falling, avoiding both injury and blockage of escape routes. Blast- and fire-resistant lighting based on the use of light-emitting diodes will facilitate entering and leaving the carriage such that rescue workers can get in to help passengers and assess damage, and passengers can see their way out more easily.

Two full-vehicle experimental blast tests were conducted, one on a decommissioned vehicle of the Metro de Madrid and one on the SECUREMETRO prototype vehicle. Results from the Madrid vehicle have been fully analysed and reported. Data from the latter are currently being analysed and outcomes will be used to provide recommendations to industry regarding optimised design for blast resilience.

The project also provided the opportunity to refine design of the test setup, including the choice and placement of pressure sensors to accurately measure and interpret effects of design modifications and of other types of blasts. Furthermore, scientists formulated possible improvements to existing standards as there were none dealing specifically with the behaviour of metro vehicles subjected to a blast attack.

Following a press release through Newcastle University, the project was highlighted on many major news channels, including CNN, Sky News, BBC and The Discovery Channel. Implementation of project recommendations will protect people and infrastructure in the event of a terrorist-based explosion and deter future attacks by minimising the impact and thus motivation.