IMPROVING THE DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF MULTITRAILER VEHICLES: A STUDY OF INNOVATIVE DOLLIES - VOLUME I TECHNICAL REPORT. FINAL REPORT

This study of the dynamic performance of multitrailer articulated vehicles has led to the development of guidelines for the design of innovative dollies that will improve the roll stability and trailing fidelity of doubles combinations. The major effort of this project involved identification, analysis and further development of innovative dolly and trailer hitching hardware showing potential for the reduction of rearward amplification and prevention of rollover of the second trailer. Specifically, the project (1) reviewed the current state-of-the-art in innovative coupling mechanisms, (2) performed a parametric sensitivity study, based on computer simulation techniques, on combination vehicles using existing and proposed coupling mechanisms, and incorporating various combinations of 96- and 102-in-width hardware, (3) developed a new type of dolly believed to provide superior safety performance, (4) conducted full-scale tests of combination vehicles using various dollies, including a prototype of the new dolly, and (5) examined the potential safety and economic impacts of the use of innovative dolly hardware.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also Volume II Appendices, FHWA/RD-86/162.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Winkler, C B
  • Fancher, P S
  • CARSTEN, O
  • Mathew, A
  • DILL, P
• Publication Date: 1986-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 246 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Couplers; Design; Dollies; Economic impacts; Guidelines; Hitches; Motor vehicles; Performance tests; Rollover crashes; Simulation; Stability (Mechanics); Tractor trailer combinations; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Articulated vehicles
• Old TRIS Terms: Double trailers; Trailing fidelity; Vehicular safety
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Highways; Motor Carriers; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00472102
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/RD-86/161, UMTRI-86-26/I, FCP 3104-112
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-84-C-00026
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1987 12:00AM