Double Trailer Research Articles

Current status of the deployment of High Capacity Vehicle in Europe and implications for the development of 25m double trailer in Japan

Current status of the deployment of High Capacity Vehicle in Europe and implications for the development of 25m double trailer in Japan

Parametric analyses of large truck braking efficiencies

Simplified braking models are used to analyze the braking efficiencies of a range of truck types under a variety of loading conditions and tire–pavement coefficients of friction. These analyses show that while most of the fully loaded trucks are capable of achieving a braking efficiency of 70%, the braking efficiencies of the unloaded or partially unloaded trucks deteriorate substantially. A bobtail tractor, an unloaded semi-trailer with tridem rear axle group and two air-lift belly axles, and a B-train double trailer with rear trailer unloaded have estimated braking efficiencies of 40–50%. The braking distances required by the unloaded and partially loaded vehicles from a 100 km/h operating speed are two to four times longer than those specified in the Canadian geometric design standards. Comparisons of the model-estimated braking distances with those obtained in one set of field tests show that the models are capable of reflecting accurately observed field behaviour. The results presented in the paper demonstrate the need for a systematic review of those highway design standards that are based on the braking capabilities of vehicles using the highway system. Key words: highway geometric design, truck braking efficiency, braking distances, highway safety.

Crash involvement of large trucks by configuration: a case-control study.

For a two-year period, large truck crashes on the interstate system in Washington State were investigated using a case-control method. For each large truck involved in a crash, three trucks were randomly selected for inspection from the traffic stream at the same time and place as the crash but one week later. The effects of truck and driver characteristics on crashes were assessed by comparing their relative frequency among the crash-involved and comparison sample trucks. Double trailer trucks were consistently overinvolved in crashes by a factor of two to three in both single and multiple vehicle crashes. Single unit trucks pulling trailers also were overinvolved. Doubles also had a higher frequency of jackknifing compared to tractor-trailers. The substantial overinvolvement of doubles in crashes was found regardless of driver age, hours of driving, cargo weight, or type of fleet. Younger drivers, long hours of driving, and operating empty trucks were also associated with higher crash involvement.

Peanut Drying Energy Consumption

Abstract Total energy consumption and drying times were determined for drying peanuts with various equipment and procedures commonly used by the peanut industry. Total peanut drying times were significantly shorter with 3.73 kW, single-trailer (ST) dryers than with 7.46 kW, double-trailer (DT) dryers. Total energy consumption was significantly higher per tonne of peanuts dried for drying with ST dryers. Total energy consumption and drying times were not significantly different for drying in side-air-entry or rear-air-entry trailers. Precleaning reduced energy requirements for drying and slightly reduced total drying times. Drying peanuts at 40.56°C decreased drying times but required considerably more energy than drying at 35°C. Type of temperature control, constant (Co) or cycling (Cy), had no effect on drying times or energy consumption.