by STrRedWolf
Let us not forget the design of a bi-level commuter VS a Superliner.
A bi-level commuter has to ether be all low-platform (VRE) or mixed-platform, high/low ether by traps (MARC/NJ Transit) or multiple doors (Metra new design). Mostly, they go everywhere (double that of the Bombardier Multilevels). They have to spare room for things such as stairs going from mid-level to upper/lower level. Most foot traffic will be mid-level. They're built to haul as many passengers as possible up to three hours away from a central hub. Because the bi-levels have mid-level areas, the heating/AC has to go up top. The height varies between 14.5' to 15'
A Superliner is exclusively low-platform boarding, and has upper-level most everything. They're basically built like a hotel on the tracks, and almost all foot traffic is upper-level. You could do two-level boarding if it were designed so. Because of being mostly upper-level, heating/AC has to go under that level and over the trucks. Their height is 16.5'.
Has there been roll-over testing on a Superliner vs, say, a Bombardier Multilevel? I'd love to see them.
That said, aren't the windows on a Superliner technically safety glass or even double-paned safety glass, which is coated in transparent plastic so that you don't get them shattering from bullet strikes or even ballast? (That'll probably be in the NTSB report).
A bi-level commuter has to ether be all low-platform (VRE) or mixed-platform, high/low ether by traps (MARC/NJ Transit) or multiple doors (Metra new design). Mostly, they go everywhere (double that of the Bombardier Multilevels). They have to spare room for things such as stairs going from mid-level to upper/lower level. Most foot traffic will be mid-level. They're built to haul as many passengers as possible up to three hours away from a central hub. Because the bi-levels have mid-level areas, the heating/AC has to go up top. The height varies between 14.5' to 15'
A Superliner is exclusively low-platform boarding, and has upper-level most everything. They're basically built like a hotel on the tracks, and almost all foot traffic is upper-level. You could do two-level boarding if it were designed so. Because of being mostly upper-level, heating/AC has to go under that level and over the trucks. Their height is 16.5'.
Has there been roll-over testing on a Superliner vs, say, a Bombardier Multilevel? I'd love to see them.
That said, aren't the windows on a Superliner technically safety glass or even double-paned safety glass, which is coated in transparent plastic so that you don't get them shattering from bullet strikes or even ballast? (That'll probably be in the NTSB report).