The effects of safety chains on the dynamics of truck and dog trailer combinations in the event of a coupling failure

This paper describes an investigation of the effects of safety chains on the dynamics of truck and dog trailer combinations in the event of catastrophic failure of the primary pin coupling. Safety chains on drawbar couplings are not mandatory in Australia for such combinations, but are recognised as having the potential to reduce crash risk and severity of crash outcomes. Some industry stakeholders, predominantly drivers, have expressed safety concerns regarding potential unintended effects of the chains on the dynamics of the hauling unit in the event of a coupling failure. The on-road dynamics of truck and dog trailer combinations connected only by safety chains was assessed via field tests, in which dynamic performance data was recorded using a data logging system. Through analysis of the recorded data and observations made by the driver of the vehicle and other observers, it was found that neither the truck nor the trailer demonstrated unsafe behaviour in any of the tested manoeuvres. It was determined that a truck-trailer combination can be brought safely to a stop in the event of a primary connection failure, up to the highest tested speed of 80 km/h. These findings strongly indicate that there is little potential for safety concerns to arise as the result of the fitment of safety chains to drawbar couplings of these truck configurations.

• Record URL:
  https://hvttforum.org/conference-papers/2016-hvtt14/
• Authors:
  • Ritzinger, A
  • Di Cristoforo, R
  • Nolan, D
• Conference:
  • HVTT14: International Symposium on Heavy Vehicle Transport Technology, 14th, 2016, Rotorua, New Zealand
• Publication Date: 2016-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 11p
• Monograph Title: Future pathways: International Symposium on Heavy Vehicle Transport Technology (HVTT14), 15-18 November 2016, Rotorua

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dynamics; Failure; Field tests; Heavy vehicles; Safety; Structural connection; Tests; Trailers; Vehicle dynamics; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Couplings
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ATRI Terms: Coupling; Failure; Field test; Heavy vehicle; Trailer; Vehicle dynamics; Vehicle safety
• ITRD Terms: 1236: Lorry
• Subject Areas: Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01641759
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 25 2017 9:56AM