PHOTOMETRIC AND ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF REAR LIGHTING SYSTEMS ON IN SERVICE TRUCK TRAILERS. FINAL REPORT

Photometric (luminous intensity) and electrical (voltage and amperage) measurements were taken on a sample of 561 heavy trucks at weigh stations located at: Dumfries, VA; New Market, MD; Woodburn, OR; and Brownsville, TN. The distribution of vehicles sampled was: Single unit dump trucks, 15; tractor/semitrailers (vans), 178, (flatbeds), 132, and (tanks), 62; doubles, 112; and triples, 62. Readings were taken at idle (700 RPM) and 1100 RPM with all the vehicle's electrical equipment operating. All observed readings decreased as the number of units in the vehicle combination increased. Significant proportions of the observed vehicles had voltage readings below the nominal amount of 12 volts. SAE J586 "Stop Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles," calls for a nominal luminous intensity reading of 80 for stop lamps at the H-V measurement point (the location at which these observations were made). Few observed vehicles emitted that much light.

• Corporate Authors:

  Allen Corporation of America

  209 Madison Street
  Alexandria, VA  United States  22314

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Copenhaver, M
  • GUERRIER, J
  • CHING, H
• Publication Date: 1990-2

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 172 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Dump trucks; Electrical measurement; Heavy duty trucks; Luminous intensity; Photometry; Rear lighting; Tractor trailer combinations; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Triple trailers
• Old TRIS Terms: Double trailers; Rear lights; Vehicular safety
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00496505
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-807 545
• Contract Numbers: DTNH22-87-D-07101
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1991 12:00AM