Engineers at MGA Research Corporation, (MGA) performed simulated dynamic crash tests using donated commuter rail passenger seats and two Hybrid-III 50th percentile (H3-50M) anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs). The tests were conducted to determine whether existing passenger seats comply with new requirements for open-bay seats, as described in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA’s) safety standard: APTA PR-CS-S-016-99 – Passenger Seats in Passenger Rail Cars, Revision 3.

The test results indicate that at least one seat design of those tested to date complies with the performance requirements for the forward-facing human injury test in the open-bay configuration. The other seats could possibly satisfy the forward-facing human injury test requirements with minor modifications.