LOOKING AHEAD TO THE '80S - TRUCK DESIGN OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS

The author reviews the growth of the road haulage industry and the development of the commercial vehicle since 1951; although the amount of goods carried by road today has increased by nearly 80 per cent, the same number of trucks are in use as there were in 1962. This increase in trade has been brought about by the building of the motorway network and the increase in gross vehicle weight to 32 tons. Most of Europe allows 39 tonne vehicles; this could increase to 40 tonnes in 1980. European manufacturers already supply 40 per cent of the home market, but believe this position will worsen if a 38 tonne limit is not introduced in Britain soon. An increase in axle loading is not associated with increased gross vehicle weight because the load is spread over five axles instead of four, increasing the braking power and reducing the dynamic loading on the road. The increased payload will also save fuel since this increase is 15.5 per cent more than the greater fuel consumption. The overiding future design problems will be concerned with meeting legislation requirements. The author recommends more research into the control of spray, road damage and vehicle stability. He suggests that these aspects should be covered by legislation as well as noise, braking and steering. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00203122
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Road Transport Engineeers

  1 Cromwell Place
  London SW1 25F,   England 
• Authors:
  • Dunn, M R
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 25-33
• Serial:
  • TRANSPORT ENGINEER
  • Issue Number: 64
  • Publisher: Institute of Road Transport Engineeers
  • ISSN: 0020-3122

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Commercial vehicles; Design; Dynamic loads; Energy; Fuel consumption; Gross vehicle weight; Heavy vehicles; Laws; Legislation; Size; Trucks; Vehicle design
• Geographic Terms: Europe
• ITRD Terms: 1322: Axle; 9011: Design (overall design); 9014: Dimension; 8034: Europe; 132: Forecast; 9032: Increase; 1088: Inland waterway; 1556: Legislation; 1078: Lock (waterway); 6432: Number; 5408: Speed; 8119: United Kingdom; 5485: Weight
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Highways; Law; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00133618
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 13 1976 12:00AM