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High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

bbc.com

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Re: High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

#31

Post by toomuchtodo »

fsckboy wrote: post #12
toomuchtodo wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> For the last decade, an average of 1,300 trains derailed each year (in the US), accounting for 61% of all train accidents. https://usafacts.org/articles/are-train-derailments-becoming... > In 2024, there were 1,507 significant railway accidents in the EU, with a total of 750 people killed and 548 seriously injured. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derailm…

American trains are largely freight travelling long rural distances. You didn't mention it, so I presume because you didn't take it into account, so your statistics sound to me like they don't mean anything comparable.

Derailments are common is what the stats show. US derailments are largely property damage as they are freight centric, while in Europe, passenger deaths are higher due to more heavy passenger utilization. Derailment is hard to defend against.

Re: High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

#32

Post by tomhow »

salynchnew wrote: post #3

[flagged]

Please don't post like this on HN. This kind of comment is a generic tangent (and a rather ghoulish one), that can be made about any tragedy; yes, no matter how bad something is, there's always something worse. It's the fact that this is an unusual occurrence that makes it noteworthy. The guidelines ask us to converse curiously and avoid generic tangents and shallow dismissals. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

Re: High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

#33

Post by bjackman »

deadbabe wrote: post #8

Always try to sit in seats where your back is toward the direction of motion.

Train crashes like this are _so_ rare. It's not as safe as flying but AFAICT in rich countries it's the same rough order of magnitude in terms of danger level.

I don't have data but I would imagine crashes on these high speed lines (which always seem to be run at a higher level of professionalism than the general networks) are rarest of all.

I don't think it's a good use of mental energy to plan for a crash like this. You're better off using your brain cycles on hygiene or not losing your luggage.

Re: High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

#34

Post by raaron773 »

keyle wrote: post #17
xlbuttplug2 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh. I'd never thought of this. If that is actually meaningfully beneficial, I wonder if they'd design self driving cars with the seats facing backwards, given there's no longer a necessity to look at the road. (edit: I guess it's more of no-brainer on a train/bus where you don't have a seat belt)

Not the author, but I think there was some research and it's indeed better for you if you have head support, to be facing back towards the front. If prevents a whole range of injuries, from your neck, to becoming a projectile yourself. But it's really theoretical, and does not account for the passenger in front of you headed head-first into your throat. PS: I laughed hard that xlbuttplug2 is answering to deadbabe. Th…

Interesting. I didnt know this, i always get motiom sickness if i sit facing the opposite direction.

Re: High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

#36

Post by rooo999 »

keyle wrote: post #17
xlbuttplug2 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh. I'd never thought of this. If that is actually meaningfully beneficial, I wonder if they'd design self driving cars with the seats facing backwards, given there's no longer a necessity to look at the road. (edit: I guess it's more of no-brainer on a train/bus where you don't have a seat belt)

Not the author, but I think there was some research and it's indeed better for you if you have head support, to be facing back towards the front. If prevents a whole range of injuries, from your neck, to becoming a projectile yourself. But it's really theoretical, and does not account for the passenger in front of you headed head-first into your throat. PS: I laughed hard that xlbuttplug2 is answering to deadbabe. Th…

Not sure what kind of cars you drive but in mine all the seats face the same direction. Why would they change that when making it safer?

Re: High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

#37

Post by sillysaurusx »

bjackman wrote: post #33
deadbabe wrote: post #8

Always try to sit in seats where your back is toward the direction of motion.

Train crashes like this are _so_ rare. It's not as safe as flying but AFAICT in rich countries it's the same rough order of magnitude in terms of danger level. I don't have data but I would imagine crashes on these high speed lines (which always seem to be run at a higher level of professionalism than the general networks) are rarest of all. I don't think it's a good use of mental energy to plan for a crash like this…

Brain cycles aren’t a limited supply. Besides, you’ll get to feel a nice jolt of serotonin when you remember to sit backwards.

> I would imagine crashes on these high speed lines (which always seem to be run at a higher level of professionalism than the general networks) are rarest of all

If this crash is anything like the other ones, you might be surprised. Safety complacency tends to cause maintenance failures. Plus the low speed lines are less deadly since the total energy is proportional to velocity squared, and v is low.

In other words, it might be more helpful to look at it as "if they’re run at a higher level of standards, it’s because they have to be".

Statistically you’re probably right, but considering how many brain cycles we waste on non-essentials, it’s just as fun to waste them on this. That way you can start a nerdy conversation with your travel companions, and they can learn to travel without you next time.

Re: High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

#39

Post by singingbard »

zhfanlqeo wrote: post #21

The train in question is a Frecciarossa 1000 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frecciarossa_1000 The Italians designed it but won't run it at more than 300km/h in Italy citing local infrastructure concerns. I guess that leaves other countries to find the edge cases. I'll be interested to find out how fast it was going during the crash.

Looks like a Frecciarossa 1000 derailed in 2020 but it was due to a manufacturer defect in a track switch replaced the night before.

The defect was not caught by the manufacturer or the system operator. It was due to two crossed wires in an assembly.

I know a lot more engineering goes into these trains due to the higher stakes. Japan’s high speed rail hasn’t had a fatal accident in 60 years. I’m wondering what the cause of this will turn out to be.

Re: High-speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

#40

Post by mitthrowaway2 »

deadbabe wrote: post #8

Always try to sit in seats where your back is toward the direction of motion.

I feel like airplanes should be designed this way. Outside of takeoff and landing it would be pretty hard to even notice the difference, once you're seated.
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