DEVELOPMENT OF AERODYNAMIC DISTURBANCE TEST PROCEDURES. VOLUME I: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Research described in this report was conducted using the first full scale crosswind disturbance test facility in the United States. This facility is capable of providing a 35 mph crosswind for a nominal 120 ft test length. The crosswind responses of twenty different vehicles were surveyed. These vehicles included 8 conventional cars (plus 4 trailers), 2 station wagons, 3 light trucks (one with camper), 3 vans, and 4 two-wheelers (including a moped and bicycle). Complete instrumented vehicle tests were conducted on five vehicles: Honda Accord, Chevrolet station wagon (alone and with trailer), Ford Econoline van, VW Microbus, and Ford pickup/camper. Three test procedures were used in three different crosswind disturbance configurations. These were steering fixed, steering free, and driver control of lane position. The crosswind configurations were straight pulse, doublet pulse, and a shaped profile. Results showed that passenger cars, station wagons, trucks, and most vans have virtually no crosswind sensitivity problems, whereas the VW Microbus, the pickup/camper (in winds higher than 35 mph), cars pulling trailers, and mopeds do have potential problems.

• Corporate Authors:

  Systems Technology, Incorporated

  13766 South Hawthorne Boulevard
  Hawthorne, CA  United States  90250

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Klein, R H
  • HOGUE, J R
• Publication Date: 1979-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 33 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamic force; Aerodynamic stability; Aerodynamics; Automobiles; Bicycles; Drag; Mopeds; Motor vehicles; Motorcycles; Stability analysis; Trailers; Trucks; Vehicle dynamics; Wind
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00304833
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DTI-TR-1117-1-I Final Rpt., DOT-HS-805-078
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-7-01716
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 30 1980 12:00AM