RESPONSE OF VEHICLES TO PAVEMENT UNDULATIONS

The ride response of two passenger vehicles to long configuration, large amplitude pavement undulations was simulated with a computer model. Passenger accelerations, spring deflections, tire forces, and ground clearances were estimated at speeds up to 60 m.p.h. Two pavement undulation configurations were tested: A 12-foot by 5-inch parabolic design which had been favorably reported in earlier British research and a 16-foot by 6-inch design which was an attempt to improve on the British design. The study concludes that the 16-foot by 6-inch configuration is not acceptable because the Buick station wagon would have zero ground clearance at 15 to 20 m.p.h. and the Mustang at 30 to 50 m.p.h. This would not occur at any speed for the 12 by 5-inch undulation. A trial installation, possibly of lesser amplitude, should be monitored over some length of time before pavement undulations are recommended as a widespread speed control device.

• Corporate Authors:

  Highway Safety Research Institute

  Huron Parkway and Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109

  Federal Highway Administration

  Division of Socio-Economic Studies, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Post, T M
  • BERNARD, J E
• Publication Date: 1976-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Deflection; Dynamic loads; Loads; Mechanical acceleration; Passenger vehicles; Pavements; Shape; Simulation; Speed control; Speed control humps; Tires; Traffic safety; Vehicle dynamics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Configuration; Dynamic response
• Old TRIS Terms: Undulation; Vehicle responses
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00137430
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: UM-HSRI-76-6 Final Rpt., FHWA/SES-76-07
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 16 1977 12:00AM