AD HOC STUDY OF CERTAIN SAFETY-REGULATED ASPECTS OF DOUBLE-BOTTOM TANKERS-FINAL REPORT AND APPENDICES

In light of rising concern of the number of accidents of fuel-carrying "double-bottom" tankers, the Governor of the State of Michigan requested, and the Office of Highway Safety Planning, State of Michigan, supported this study. A research study is described examining the stability of Michigan double tankers relative to other fuel-hauling vehicles. A means for modifying double tankers so as to improve dynamic stability is developed and demonstrated in full-scale tests. The study concludes that the Michigan double bottom is a uniquely hazardous vehicle with a propensity for rollover of the second trailer, particularly in accident-evasion maneuvers. The modified double is seen to yield a factor of two improvement in stability over the baseline double. It is recommended that use of the present Michigan double tanker be discontinued. In the near term, use of the modified version of the vehicle is advocated. It is suggested that safer vehicles for the future can be designed using existing technology. In making recommendations, consideration is given to both the stability of individual vehicles and to accident exposure issues involving the overall makeup of the tanker fleet. /HSRI/

• Corporate Authors:

  Highway Safety Research Institute

  Huron Parkway and Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109
• Authors:
  • Ervin, R D
  • Fancher, P S
  • Gillespie, T D
  • Winkler, C B
  • Wolfe, A
• Publication Date: 1978-5-7

Media Info

• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash rates; Frequency analyzers; Hazardous materials; Maneuverability; Rollover crashes; Safety; Safety equipment; Tankers; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safety features
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00178251
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Highway Safety Research Institute
• Report/Paper Numbers: UM-HSRI-78-18-1 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: MPA-78-002A
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 19 1978 12:00AM