FUTURE CONFIGURATION OF TANK VEHICLES HAULING FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS IN MICHIGAN. VOLUME I. FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT

The special safety hazard posed by highway tank vehicles hauling flammable liquids has been addressed through accident data analysis and engineering evaluations related to tank vehicle configuration. The study which was mandated directly by an Act of the Michigan State Legislature, has produced recommendations for new legislation pertaining to the configuration of tank vehicles having fluid capacities in excess of 9,000 gal. A set of four vehicle configurations are recommended, all constituting tractor-semitrailers. The specification for each vehicle covers constraints on tank capacity, tank height above the ground, rollover stability, the use of so-called "lift-axles," and the ability of manhole covers to contain the fluid load in the event of a rollover. Analysis of accident risks has indicated that any of the four recommended vehicle configurations would yield approximately one-half of the incidence of rollover, with its potential for fire, that Michigan can expect from the use of conventional tankers having tank capacities around 9,000 gal. Further, the recommended vehicles, because of their higher carrying capacities, offer large advantages to the economy and energy efficiency of flammable fluids transportation.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Volume 2 is HS-031 197.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  Highway Safety Research Institute
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States 

  Michigan Department of Transportation

  State Transportation Building, 425 West Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30050
  Lansing, MI  United States  48909
• Authors:
  • Ervin, R D
  • MALLIKARJUNARAO, C
  • Gillespie, T D
• Publication Date: 1980-12

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 245 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axles; Crash investigation; Fires; Flammable liquids; Freight transportation; Hazardous materials; Hazards; Height; Legislation; Load limits; Recommendations; Risk assessment; Rollover crashes; Safety engineering; Shape; Specifications; Stability (Mechanics); Tank trucks; Tankers; Tractor trailer combinations; Trailers; Truck tractors; Trucks; Vehicle capacity; Vehicle design; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Capacity; Configuration
• Geographic Terms: Michigan
• Old TRIS Terms: Cargo transportation; Truck capacity
• Subject Areas: Design; Freight Transportation; Highways; Law; Motor Carriers; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I81: Accident Statistics; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00336184
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: UM-HSRI-80-73-1, HS-031 198
• Contract Numbers: 78-2230
• Files: HSL, TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 21 1983 12:00AM