SMART's Train Design Fails Critical Passenger Seating Safety Test

SMART's new train design has failed to meet a passenger seating safety test last week, prompting a redesign of the passenger seating.

The redesign, however, will not affect the rollout of the new car design, according to a story in the Petaluma Argus Courier, set by the end of 2013.

Lisa Cobb, SMART's vehicle and systems manager, told the Argus Courier that the results of the safety test are surprising, but that the safety issues can be expected during the roll-out of a new car design. 

The new trains, dubbed diesel multiple units, are slope-nosed, self-propelled by diesel engines and run in pairs. Cobb said the seats are the last thing to go on the cars, and doesn't anticipate any delays in the rolling out of the new cars.

The new cars are part of SMART's plan to create a passenger train line from Santa Rosa to downtown San Rafael, set to be complete in late 2014 or early 2015. Longer-range plans include service south to Larkspur and north to Cloverdale.

Take a look at the full story here.

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