Citation

Bartlett W. Accid. Reconstr. J. 2009; 19(6): 19-21.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article reports on a series of wet surface braking tests, conducted in July 2009, near Brunswick, Maine and additional wet skid tests that were conducted near Ocean City, Maryland around the same time. Both sets of tests were conducted using late-model tractor-trailer rigs. In the series in Maine, for comparison, the same skid tests were conducted using a late model Chevrolet Impala. All four test vehicles were equipped with antilock brake systems on both the tractor and trailer. A portion of the tests were conducted with all brakes fully applied. The remainder were conducted with some of the brakes either not applied or rendered inoperable. For the series in Maryland, all test vehicles except one were equipped with antilock brake systems on both the tractor and trailer. All six trucks were tested in the "full brake" condition. The article reports brief results for each of the ten trucks tested, noting the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for each as well. Two tables summarize the results, including the trailer and load, the speed in mph, and the heavy truck drag factors (as measured by the Stalker).