DESIGN OF UTILITY VEHICLES FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The author discusses the design of low cost utility vehicles for developing countries. Basic requirements listed are ability to carry a range of loads, strength and ruggedness, mechanical reliability and simplicity. Modification of existing designs is considered preferable to a new design. Four-wheel drive is thought to be too costly and front-wheel drive preferable to rear-wheel drive. Diesel engines are not permitted in some countries. The author considers the problems imposed by a wide range of environmental conditions (temperature, altitude, dust, insects, terrain and rain). A 500 kg payload estate vehicle with provision for roof rack is considered most acceptable with a 360-480 kg full tank range, 200 mm ground clearance, stout bumpers and sturdy towing points, design parameters are listed: they include cost, scale of production, tooling and press-work, mechanical arrangement, employment of an indigenous workforce and separate chassis. The lay-out of the vehicle is discussed in detail and a chart is given comparing the proposed vehicle with the range rover, SWB land rover, Steyr Puch Haflinger and Austin Gipsy. A 'flat' chassis simplifies calculation of torsional and beam stiffness, and wood construction is considered to be worth consideration. The article includes a detailed cost and weight analysis of materials used in the vehicle structure. Listed benefits of the proposed vehicle are low cost, practical transport over rough terrain, local benefits of the use of indigenous work forces and economic savings in foreign exchange. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Design Engineering Publications Limited

  89 Blackfriars Road
  London SE1,   England 
• Authors:
  • MARTIN, T
• Publication Date: 1975-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 21-23
• Serial:
  • AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN ENGINEERING 1993
  • Volume: 14
  • Publisher: EDENVALE PUBLISHING LTD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Automobiles; Costs; Design; Developing countries; Diesel engines; Environmental impacts; Front wheel drive; Personnel; Strength of materials; Trucks; Vehicle characteristics; Vehicle design; Vehicle performance; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Low costs
• ITRD Terms: 1057: Air transport network; 1243: Car; 224: Cost; 9011: Design (overall design); 150: Developing countries; 1236: Lorry
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Finance; Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00128293
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 7 1976 12:00AM