VEHICLE ROLLOVER THRESHOLD EVALUATION

The objective of this study is to examine the feasibility of evaluating the rollover threshold of heavy vehicles at roadside control stations. The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) static rollover models are both detailed mathematical models well capable of predicted vehicle rollover threshold as long as vehicle parameters are precisely known. The report first identifies the most important vehicle parameters for estimating rollover threshold, and these include centre of gravity height, and axle, suspension and tire characteristics. A method of measuring, or estimating, these parameters is also presented. It is found that a large imprecision on the computed rollover threshold results from an inability to precisely determine the characteristics of the vehicle controlling its rollover. It is pointed out that more experimental work is needed to establish how the measurement of the height of the centre of gravity can be made with a good accuracy. The quick determination of suspension characteristics is also difficult and this will have to be examined in more detail. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)

  401-1111 Prince of Wales Drive
  Ottawa, Ontario  Canada 
• Authors:
  • Bedard, J T
• Publication Date: 1986

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 20 p.
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 12

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Heavy vehicles; Mathematical models; Measurement; Rollover crashes; Suspension systems; Vehicle characteristics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Thresholds
• ITRD Terms: 6155: Apparatus (measuring); 1225: Articulated vehicle; 1322: Axle; 6401: Centre; 5419: Gravity; 6452: Limit; 1236: Lorry; 6473: Mathematical model; 1637: Overturning (veh); 9103: Simulation; 8645: Software; 1329: Suspension (veh); 1381: Tyre; 1646: Vehicle handling
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00478659
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 31 1989 12:00AM