Citation

Hahn WD. Proc. Int. Tech. Conf. Enhanced Safety Vehicles 1992; 1992: 344-351.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, In public domain, Publisher National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article describes research into the driving qualities of the types of truck trailer (road train) combinations commonly found in Europe. The typical combinations are: a) standard draw bar; b) short coupling device; and c) central axis trailer. The total length of the elongated train is 18.35m, and the space between trailer and truck can vary from between 0.4 to 1.7m, according to the combination used and the volume carried. A mathematical model was produced which could simulate a single lane change manoeuvre, where the lane is 3.0m wide and the change of lane set to 3.3m within a distance of 40m. The model was validated using data taken from a real test run using each of the vehicle combinations, in which the following criteria were measured: steer angle; yaw angle; draw bar angle and fifth wheel angle. The results indicate that the trailer tends to overshoot at the end of the manoeuvre. Examples are provided for each trailer combination and for a variety of speeds of a) the additional width required, and b) the largest slip angle at the first axle. A test method using a special tyre test vehicle for measuring the forces occurring in the tyre contact area is also described. The following forces can be measured: a) the side force as a function of the angle of deviation between the tyre and the line of travel; and b) the circumferential force as a function of the braking slip.