Pressure Exerted on Person in City Bus Collision

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the physics of a city bus collision involving a 50,000 lbs bus and a 3,600 lbs car traveling at 45 to 50 mph. The bus, stationary at a stop light, is pushed forward 3 feet upon impact. A 275 lb person leaning against the bus frame experiences an unknown amount of force due to the collision dynamics. The forum concludes that accurately calculating the force exerted on the individual is complex and requires specialized knowledge in accident investigation, which is beyond the forum's scope.

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  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Basic principles of collision physics
  • Knowledge of force and pressure calculations
  • Familiarity with vehicle dynamics
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Kathleen Sheppard
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City bus estimated at 50,000 lbs is at a stop light and completely stationary. It's on a flat surface. Bus is hit by a 3600 lb car traveling at 45 to 50 mph hits bus from behind. This bus is shoved fforward 3 feet. 275 lb person leaning into frame of bus just above where the impact occurred. How much force or pounds of pressure is exerted on that person?
 
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I'm sorry but we don't do accident investigation here at PF. It would be impossible to give you an accurate answer because a real collision is a very complicated process and it's unlikely that we have either the necessary information or the expertise to work through this. The last thing you want is to waste a large amount of time and effort because someone here gave you the wrong answer. Thread locked.
 
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