Peak and Sustained Isometric Forces Applied to a Truck Steering Wheel

Abstract

Each of 269 truck and bus drivers applied peak and sustained isometric forces to a truck steering wheel using three different hand positions. Subjects were instructed to maintain force for 15s. Mean peak torque was 147 Newton-meters (Nm). The peak torque decayed 12% in the first 5 s, 17% after 10 s, and 21% after 15 s. The torque values were compared to steering wheel torques produced during a front tire blowout in a large truck. Depending on the hand position and time relationship between the peak torque produced from the blowout and the drivers' peak torque 7 to 16% of the drivers might have lost control of the truck. The time-averaged blowout torques could probably be controlled by all subjects even 15 s after they produced their peak torque.