REDUCTION OF WATER SPRAY FROM ROAD VEHICLES IN WET CONDITIONS: A FURTHER INVESTIGATION WITH IMPROVED TRIALS MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUE

This investigation concerns the measurements of water spray around heavy road vehicles under test track conditions. A number of vehicles were tested including container vehicles and flat-beds; the speed of all vehicles in the main series of tests was approximately 55 mph. Reductions in spray density in the longitudinal path as seen by a driver in an overtaking vehicle and in the vehicle wake were demonstrated as a result of changes to the mud-guarding standard of the vehicle and from add-on devices. All the add-on devices were shown to be practical and would not adversely affect the performance of the vehicle; they included an air deflector above the cab, trays with absorbent material downstream of the wheels, extension flaps, and valances. The gains in visibility from the best combination of these devices showed that the water spray hazard on motorways and other roads could be greatly improved. These tests showed that two important principles had to be realised for a successful device or combination of devices: (1) the spray had to be absorbed at source, i.e. Close to the contact patch of the tyre and road; (2) the airflow along and around the vehicle had to be modified to prevent spray generated being lifted up to a height which interferes with the vision of driver in an overtaking vehicle. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Southampton University, England

  Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Highfield
  Southampton S09 5NH,   England 
• Authors:
  • Allan, J W
  • Lilley, G M
• Publication Date: 1980-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 47 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air; Deflectors; Equipment; Flow; Heavy vehicles; Improvements; Measuring instruments; Moisture content; Motor vehicles; Passing; Pavements; Prevention; Rolling contact; Splashing; Sprays (Materials); Surface course (Pavements); Tests; Trucks; Visibility; Water; Wet weather
• Uncontrolled Terms: Air flow; Wet conditions; Wet pavements
• Old TRIS Terms: Mud guards; Valances
• ITRD Terms: 5440: Contact (tyre road); 3674: Equipment; 9108: Improvement; 1236: Lorry; 9149: Prevention; 9146: Spray (veh); 6255: Test; 6783: Visibility; 3015: Wet road
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00379308
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Report/Paper Numbers: No. 80/5 Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 1984 12:00AM