Citation

Sweatman P, Tso Y. Transp. Plann. Tech. 1989; 14(2): 159-169.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/03081068908717423

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Medium Combination Vehicles (MCV's) fall between General Freight Vehicles and Large Combination Vehicles (road trains) with respect to size and weight limits and are being introduced on approved routes in Australia's populated areas. The major issues surrounding MCV's are safety, impact on other road users and environmental effects. This paper is concerned with the important safety?related area of dynamic stability and describes testing of a B?double, which is the MCV configuration creating most interest. On the basis of full?scale testing, tilt testing and computer simulation, it is concluded that the B?double has (i) predictable steady state rollover behaviour similar to that of a wide sample of six?axle tractor?semi?trailers previously tested, and (ii) superior dynamic stability in transient manoeuvres, as a result of the coupling concept of the B?double. It is recommended that further investigation of certain aspects of the test results is warranted, particularly the kinematic behaviour of the fifth wheel coupling between the two trailers.